BUS DRIVER JAILED FOR SEXUAL ASSAULTS ON TEEN GIRL IN LIVERPOOL
A bus driver named Damien Doyle has been convicted of sexually assaulting a 16-year-old girl after offering her a ride home.The incident occurred in September 2022 after the girl, who had been traveling from Queen Square in Liverpool to St Helens, fell asleep on the last bus service home.
She woke up to find Doyle had locked her in his car and was engaging in inappropriate behaviour.
Doyle, who had been working as a bus driver for 15 years, made lewd comments such as "I bet you get really horny when you're drunk" and initially offered her a lift because she was stranded and had no money.
Once inside the vehicle, Doyle placed his hand on her leg, stroked her inner thigh, and asked if she had a boyfriend, while giving her compliments and intertwining their hands.
He then locked the doors, put his hand on her leg again, and began stroking her thigh while diverting towards Kirkby.
The girl, terrified, told him she had a change of plan and that her friend would pick her up, at which point Doyle released her from the car.
The victim described feeling vulnerable and horrified, stating, "The feeling of his hand rubbing the inside of my thigh is a feeling I don't think I'll forget.
He has no empathy for how I felt that night, no guilt for his actions and no self-awareness for his inappropriate behaviour." Doyle's previous convictions include assault occasioning actual bodily harm in 1996 and 2008, but he had no prior sexual offence convictions.
During the trial at Liverpool Crown Court, Doyle denied the offence.
He was found guilty of one count of sexual assault by a jury and sentenced to two years in prison.
Judge David Swinnerton also ordered him to sign the sex offenders' register for 10 years and described his actions as "predatory" and "opportunistic." The court heard Doyle's partner expressed her support for him, emphasizing his military service and good character.
The victim expressed that she did not want Doyle to go to prison but wanted to understand why he committed this act.
