A DRIVER took advantage of a woman with learning difficulties, sexually assaulting her during a delivery run.

Kevin Gledden, 58, was yesterday jailed for six months, after admitting the offence took place when he asked her to pose as a page three model.

Durham Crown Court heard that Gledden worked as a driver for a pharmacy company, collecting and delivering prescriptions, last summer.

Richard Bennett, prosecuting, said Gledden knew the victim as an acquaintance while previously doing voluntary charity work.

Mr Bennett said: "Although an adult, she functions intellectually as a 13-year-old, and received special needs education when younger due to her learning difficulties."

Despite no longer working with the charity Gledden kept in touch with her, taking her with him on a delivery run in County Durham, each Tuesday.

Mr Bennett said the offence took place when Gledden pulled into a lay-by and asked to see her breasts.

When she refused he pulled up her clothing and took a photo of her breasts on his mobile phone.

Mr Bennett said when arrested and asked about the photo, Gledden told police the woman was reading page three of the Sun newspaper at the time.

"He said there was, 'a bit of banter' and so he got her to pose as a page three model."

Mr Bennett added: "He said he had come to regret it, but he, nevertheless, did keep it on his mobile phone."

Gledden, of Dent Street, Hartlepool, admitted sexual assault.

Penny Bottomley, mitigating, said the former steel worker was a man of previous good character.

"He's not only led a law abiding life, but he's been in employment throughout as well as doing voluntary work."

Miss Bottomley said after the allegation arose Gledden gave up his voluntary work, and is now unemployed.

Jailing him, Judge Peter Kelson told Gledden: "You've admitted forcing this vulnerable woman, against her will, to lift her clothing and expose her breasts for your sexual gratification.

"Given her mental age, in my view it does amount to serious sexual harm."

He, therefore, imposed a Sexual Offences Prevention Order, limiting Gledden's future unsupervised contact with anyone deemed 'vulnerable', and preventing him from ever working with children.

Gledden must also sign the Sex Offenders' Register for seven years.