'Sexual predator' driving instructor from Ellesmere Port jailed for eight years

Judge Patrick Thompson, sentencing 69-year-old Frank Barham at Chester Crown Court on Wednesday, November 13, told him he was a "sexual predator" who held a dark secret to those who knew him best.

Barham, who ran the now-closed Frank's School of Motoring, had the previous Friday been found guilty, after a three-week trial, on three counts of sexual assault and nine counts of indecent assault.

The convictions came following a retrial, after a previous jury had failed to come to any verdicts at the first trial held earlier this year.

But more victims came forward as a result of the Standard's coverage of the first trial, with Barham, of Halton Road, Great Sutton, being found guilty on charges put forward in the original trial and the new charges at the retrial.

The offences took place between 1999 and Barham's arrest in 2017, all while Barham was teaching his students to drive.

The court heard one of the sex assaults, on a 17-year-old vulnerable woman, was considered the most serious.

Prosecuting, Simon Parry read out impact statements for all six victims, none of whom can be named.

The first victim was subject to the most serious of the sex attacks and several other indecent assaults.

The court heard she had had a difficult upbringing and was hoping to become a social worker, but Barham's behaviour and attacks took a huge toll on her personal life and mental health.

At one point she was living on the streets and at another point she had started taking drugs - "anything to knock me out" or dull the emotions she was feeling.

She had reported the attacks to the police before, including in 2012 after the Jimmy Savile revelations came to light, but was left devastated when the Crown Prosecution Service said it could not proceed with the case at that time.

She said: "I will never get properly over what he did to me...I was determined to get justice despite the setbacks."

The second victim said she had already had bad experiences with other men prior to the driving lessons with Barham.

The attack had left her feeling very nervous when alone with another man, and did not like using public transport, sitting by other men.

"Barham's behaviour affected my ability to socialise," she said, adding she did not feel comfortable to drive even several years after the incident because his "grubby sexual assault" still preyed on her mind, with the driving seat acting like a prompt to trigger the memories.

The third victim said what happened had placed a big strain on her relationship.

She said she had previously been outgoing , but did not go out of the house any more to socialise, only seeing family when they came round to visit.

She added: "Now that my account has been proved, I will look to put this behind me."

The fourth victim said: "He pulled my skirt up, saying 'it's just like on the beach'."

She said she did not have lessons with Barham afterwards and moved on with her life, until she read the story of Barham's first trial from coverage in the Standard.

She then contacted the police and said she was shocked at how emotional she was, reflecting that, as a more mature woman now, she realised how vulnerable she had been originally and had not realised the significance of Barham's behaviour.

The fifth victim said she was initially very stressed and upset by the attack.

When she read the report of Barham's first trial in the Standard newspaper, she contacted police.

She explained she had nothing to gain personally from having to go to court, giving evidence, as it was a distraction from her everyday life and, at the time of writing the statement, was heavily pregnant.

However, she said she wanted to put the matter right.

The sixth victim said Barham's behaviour had caused strain on the relationship with her parents, who may have believed she was trying to get out of learning to drive at the time.

She said the attack had caused additional stress when she was taking her A-levels at the time.

Defending, Owen Edwards said Barham, a former Sergeant Major, had "gained a reputation for serving his country, his family and his community".

The offences had caused a great deal of public shame, and he knew he was going to receive a "significant custodial sentence".

He was a man of previous good character, a father and a grandfather. His wife, who had supported him throughout, would bear the burden of the sentence in her local area.

Sentencing Barham, Judge Thompson said: "The first victim was a particularly vulnerable young woman having difficulties at home.

"She confided in you; you saw her problems as an opportunity to abuse her. You would treat her as a sexual plaything.

"You would sexually molest your other victims. Each complainant has been affected.

"I have heard of your distinguished Army career, you are a father and grandfather.

"Underlying your public persona was a cunning sexual predator who held a dark secret from those who knew you best. you have shown no remorse in the denial of these offences."

Barham was jailed for a total of eight years and placed on the sex offenders register for life.

Speaking after Barham was sent down, Judge Thompson added: "I wish to pay tribute to the complainants who came to court and who gave evidence.

"In particular [the first victim], whose persistence and determination have ensured all the other women have obtained justice.

"It is regrettable that she was not taken seriously enough in 2006 and 2012, and I hope that all victims can gain closure and look forward to a brighter future."