Bus driver who ‘grabbed’ man sentenced

A transgender bus driver, found guilty of sexually assaulting a colleague has been handed a two-year community order.

Louise Emma Croft, 60, of Rowen near Conwy, must also carry out 100 hours of unpaid community works and pay £735 costs.

Ms Croft, who worked for Arriva but was sacked following the incident in Bangor, accepted she had grabbed her victim by his genitals and made an inappropriate comment – but denied it amounted to a sexual assault.

Ms Croft had told the court she started transitioning in 2006 and “completed the process” while driving for now defunct Padarn Bus.

The victim, who cannot be named, told magistrates: “She came into the room and towards me and, as she neared, went for my private parts.” Another Arriva worker witnessed the incident, and added that Ms Croft had then made a comment before leaving.