A mini cab driver who sexually assaulted a teenage girl as she travelled home at night has escaped an immediate jail term.

Iqbal Ahmed touched the 17-year-old's leg several times during the journey to Sutton-at-Hone.

He also made suggestive remarks, implying her fare might be waived in return for a sexual favour.

Father-of-five Ahmed, of Royal Road, Sidcup, denied sexual assault but was convicted by a jury at Maidstone Crown Court on a 10-2 majority.

Ahmed, the court was told at his sentencing hearing, still vehemently maintains his innocence.

Imposing a sentence of two months' custody - suspended for 12 months - Judge Philip St.John-Stevens said the offence was aggravated by the fact Ahmed was in a position of trust.

He added: "What is significant and makes this all the more serious is the remarks you were making to her, effectively implying you were asking for a sexual favour so the fare may be waived.

"She was there, effectively imprisoned in your mini cab by a man making sexual innuendos and suggestions and touching her on her leg not once, but more than once."

As part of his sentence, Ahmed must carry out 120 hours' unpaid work. He also has to sign the sex offenders' register and is barred from working with children.

The court heard the victim, who cannot be identified for legal reasons, had been to a party and was travelling home with friends on September 30 last year.

She sat in the front seat next to Ahmed, who was working at the time for Swantax Taxis in Swanley.

"She was there, effectively imprisoned in your mini cab by a man making sexual innuendos and suggestions and touching her..." - Judge Philip St.John-Stevens

Prosecutor Gary Pons said one of the friends jokingly asked how people got out of paying their fare and Ahmed, 39, replied that on occasions they had sex with him.

He then put his hand on the girl's leg. She was wearing shorts with tights underneath and told him: "Don't touch my leg."

The others were dropped off in Swanley and the teenager continued alone to her destination.

Ahmed asked questions that were increasingly personal and inappropriate, said Mr Pons.

He twice more put his hand on the victim's leg and described how people would pay him for fares with sexual favours.

On arriving home she told her sister what had happened and the police were contacted.

Ahmed claimed the group was rowdy and wanted a discount. He denied there was any sexual talk or any physical contact with the girl.

The court heard he was suspended from the cab firm after his arrest and has since lost both his job and his taxi driving licence.

Christopher Sutton-Mattocks, defending, said this - together with the loss of his good name - was punishment itself.

He also told the court the shame of such a conviction would pose difficulties for his daughters' prospective arranged marriages.