A MINICAB driver who sexually assaulted two female passengers because his own marriage “lacked intimacy” has been jailed for six months.
David Ainsworth, 42, groped the women’s breasts during separate journeys earlier this year.
Hull Crown Court heard the 35 Minicabs private hire driver also offered one of the women a free journey home if she performed a sex act.
The 22-year-old woman had got into Ainsworth’s cab in east Hull in the early hours of February 11 to go to withdraw some money from a cashpoint.
The woman, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was wearing pyjamas at the time.
Prosecutor Geraldine Kelly said: “They began talking. But, before long, Mr Ainsworth told the victim he was more interested in her breasts, leaned over and groped one of her breasts.
“The woman was in complete shock and so Ainsworth groped her breasts twice more.
“The woman had no mobile phone on her and felt vulnerable and scared because she couldn’t ring her boyfriend who was back at the house.”
Ainsworth, of Brough, then offered the woman a free fare if she performed a sexual act.
On March 19, Ainsworth picked up another woman who wanted to go home after a night out in Hull city centre.
As the passenger went to get out of the minicab near her home, Ainsworth ran around the car to grope her breasts as she stood on the pavement.
Mrs Kelly said: “The woman was pushed back onto the car. She managed to run away. She was shocked and humiliated.
“She says she is now very vulnerable and wary of being in the company of men.”
Ainsworth began his job as a minicab driver in 2001. At the time of the attacks, he worked for 35 Minicabs, based in Holderness Road, east Hull.
He was sacked after he was arrested by police in April.
In mitigation, Steven Garth said: “I have to admit there were two serious breaches of trust here.
“Mr Ainsworth married in 2002 but that relationship became unsatisfying. There was no love and he was very unhappy for months and months. It lacked intimacy.
“The breakdown of the marriage and loneliness of the job as a minicab driver may have something to do with what happened.”
Ainsworth has since secured a new job as a welder in Goole.
Judge Mark Bury told Ainsworth: “Both offences bear similarity and they were both on females at night time.
“In the first case, it was not long before you were making smutty remarks and touched her breasts three times.
“You then subjected her to more indignity when you told her to give you a sexual favour.
“She was horrified by that and quite rightly so.
“You have lost your job as a minicab driver which is hardly surprising.
“These offences are especially serious because the women were your fares. They trusted you.
“I am left with no choice but to give you a custodial sentence.
“There is also the element of deterrent and the public must be led to believe they are not at threat late at night.
“So my sentence is punishment for you and reassurance for the public.”
