ADAM BAGSHAW, KETTERING DRIVING INSTRUCTOR, SENTENCED FOR SEXUAL OFFENCES
A 56-year-old driving instructor from Kettering, Adam Bagshaw, was convicted of multiple sexual offences after engaging in disturbing conduct involving his pupils.Bagshaw, who operated A to B Driving School, assaulted students and secretly filmed them during lessons in his vehicle.
He also made inappropriate comments, suggesting that one student should create an OnlyFans account and sell her used underwear online.
During proceedings at Northampton Crown Court on Thursday, February 22, more than a dozen friends and family members of the victims were present.
The court was told that Bagshaw would be sent directly to prison.
He previously pleaded guilty at a hearing to charges of voyeurism, harassment, and sexual assault.
Court records reveal that Bagshaw, formerly residing on Milldale Road, Kettering, had a background as a mechanics lecturer at Tresham College and worked as a freelance photographer.
His misconduct was uncovered after police received a call from one of his students, who described his sickening sexual comments made during and after lessons.
Police subsequently seized his mobile phone and discovered videos he covertly recorded, which included footage of students’ legs in skirts and shots of their behinds as they exited his vehicle.
Police managed to identify one of the victims who was unaware she was being filmed.
Four such video clips were shown in court, causing further distress.
In an interview, one victim described Bagshaw as 'a bit weird' and recounted how he suggested she open an OnlyFans account, claiming she could earn 'good money' by selling her used underwear online.
She also described an incident where he felt her back and neck to demonstrate a new device he claimed prevented bra straps from falling, and he attempted to discuss a video involving an underage woman.
The victim impact statement, read out by prosecutor Sally Hobson, expressed her disgust: 'It makes me sick.
It’s disgusting what he’s done.
It feels like a pit in my stomach.
It’s so creepy.
I’m now scared to have more driving lessons with another male instructor.' Another student told the court that Bagshaw had warned her, ‘What’s said in this car stays in this car,’ which she found distressing and caused her to dread lessons.
She explained that her parents had paid for her driving lessons, and she was reluctant to disappoint them.
Bagshaw had also made inappropriate remarks about her age, her clothing, and her personal life, including questions about sex toys and her love life.
This student failed her driving test twice due to anxiety and worry stemming from Bagshaw's actions.
She eventually found a new instructor, from whom she had to start over, and now prefers to travel by train rather than drive.
She has undergone some therapy to cope with her experience but struggled to continue because her therapist resembled Bagshaw, which caused her distress.
She concluded her statement by saying, 'I’m so worried when there’s silence because I think about what he’s done to me.
No matter what sentence he’s given, his life becomes miserable, it won’t compare to the impact on me.
I want him to know he’s a piece of s**t, and I hope he’s miserable for the rest of his life.' Bagshaw wrote to the court to express remorse, stating he wanted to 'sincerely apologise' for his actions and that he had sought counselling.
He also noted that he had changed careers and was now working as an HGV driver trainer.
During mitigation, solicitor Siobhan Cawkwell remarked, 'This is a result of his own stupidity.
He’s split up with his wife and lost friends.
He’s only got himself to blame.
Most of the people in his life have turned their backs on him.' She added that Bagshaw had moved into temporary accommodation after relocating.
Judge Adrienne Lucking KC addressed Bagshaw directly, who was dressed in a blue suit and remained silent throughout the hearing.
She stated, 'You were teaching them in circumstances where they should have learned an important life skill without any concern about your behaviour.
[One of the victims] had to identify herself from a video she had no idea was being recorded.
It’s caused her very substantial distress.' The judge sentenced Bagshaw to eight months in prison, with half to be served before release.
She emphasized that her sentence could not be suspended, highlighting the breach of trust intrinsic to his role.
She said, 'Driving instructors are in a position of trust.
The public must know that driving instructors who commit sexual offences will go immediately to prison, and that’s what will happen today.' Additionally, Bagshaw will be registered as a sex offender for ten years and will be under probation supervision for a year following his release from HMP Peterborough.
