A Norfolk bus driver who sexually assaulted a woman passenger after 'trying it on' with her has been given a suspended jail sentence.

Gareth Poole, who worked for Sanders Coaches of Holt, told the woman there was no need to pay for a ticket and, when she was the only remaining passenger, gave her a cigarette.

Shortly afterwards he stopped the bus and told the woman he needed to adjust a wing mirror, Ipswich Crown Court heard today, Monday.

When he got back on the bus he 'forced himself on her', kissed her on the lips, and touched her said High Vass, prosecuting.

The woman pushed him away and Poole had undid his trousers to expose himself but the incident had come to an end when she said 'no'.

Poole then continued the journey and the woman had pressed the buzzer when she wanted to get off the bus, said Mr Vass.

When police spoke to Poole about the incident he initially denied the offence but later accepted he had tried to cuddle the woman and may have brushed against her.

He told officers he had met his wife while she was a passenger on his bus.

Poole, 37, of Church Lane, Gresham admitted sexually assaulting the woman and an offence of exposure.

Sentencing him to six months jail suspended for a year, with an order for 200 hours unpaid work, Judge John Holt said Poole had 'tried it on' with the woman.

Lindsay Cox for Poole said his client had no previous convictions and had lost his job as a result of the offences.