A DRIVING instructor has admitted sexually assaulting two of his teenage pupils including in Winchester.

Stephen Mason, 59, of Blendworth Lane, Southampton, pleaded guilty to three counts of sexual assault on a 17-year-old girl and a 19-year-old woman.

Mason took his victims to car parks and remote locations during their lessons and then attacked them. Two offences took place in Southampton while the third took place in Winchester – all between January and February 2015.

Investigating officer DC Heidi Boyd said: “Mason abused the trust placed in him by these young women and their parents; he took advantage of their youth and placed them in a vulnerable situation so he could achieve sexual gratification.

"These young women have been incredibly brave throughout the entire process and I would like to commend them for coming forward. We have specially trained officers who work with victims of sexual offences to give them the support that they need.

“We would encourage anyone who has been the victim of a sex offence who has not already reported it to the police, to come forward and speak to us in confidence and receive the support they may need."

Mason was sentenced at Winchester Crown Court and jailed for 32 months and placed on the sex offenders register for life.

He first appeared at the same court on July 9 where he admitted the offences.

Officers urge anyone who may have been a victim of a sexual offence who has not already reported it to call Hampshire Constabulary on 101.