Karate teacher facing jail for assault on pupil (From The Northern Echo)

Karate teacher facing jail for assault on pupil

8:42am Thursday 22nd November 2007 in

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A KARATE instructor is facing jail and a ban on working with children after he admitted prying on a pupil as she stripped and washed.

Andrew Bryson Finn also pleaded guilty yesterday to assaulting the young girl between September and November last year.

The 55-year-old - who ran two martial arts clubs in the North-East - will be sentenced for his crimes at crown court next month.

He was due to stand trial yesterday on charges of sexual assault and causing or inciting a child to engage in sexual activity.

But the trial was abandoned when he admitted charges of voyeurism and assault - a move accepted by prosecutors and his victim.

Finn admitted observing the girl for sexual gratification as she washed on an occasion between September 30 and November 20.

The assault on the same girl - a pupil at one of his karate schools - was committed between the same dates.

The sexual assault was said to have been committed on October 1, while the incitement allegation was between September 30 and November 20.

Finn, of Tebay Close, Ormesby, Middlesbrough, was given bail until he appears to be sentenced at Teesside Crown Court, on December 14.

He was ordered by Judge Peter Armstrong to stay at his address and not to contact witnesses, go to karate clubs or instruct under- 18s.

Finn's bail conditions bar him from going within 200 metres of two specific karate clubs in the region and attending sporting events with minors.

In 2004, Finn was cleared by a jury of five charges of indecent assaults against a pupil he was alleged to have taken back to his home.

When he is sentenced next month, Cleveland Police will seek a Sexual Offences Prevention Order to monitor his activities, and he will also be placed on the sex offenders' register.

The case was adjourned by Judge Armstrong so Probation Service officials can prepare background reports on Finn.

The judge told him: "All options will be open to the court that deals with you. The contents of the pre-sentence report and your attitude to these offences will be taken into account in deciding the sentence."