THE sentencing of a disgraced Black Country driving instructor convicted of sexually assaulting six of his teenaged pupils has been put off until a later date after he criticised his barrister.

Gary Rolinson, who ran the 500+ Driving School in Kingswinford, had been due to be sentenced at Warwick Crown Court where trial judge Andrew Lockhart QC is now sitting.

But the court was told the 60-year-old was planning to appeal against his conviction for 13 offences of sexual assault and one of causing a person to engage in sexual activity - and in documents lodged with the Court of Appeal he had criticised his barrister's conduct during his trial at Wolverhampton Crown Court.

As a result, Samantha Forsyth, who defended him during his trial, said she was no longer able to represent him.

She said: “Mr Rolinson has shown me a bundle of documents he has submitted to the Court of Appeal Criminal Division.

“I’ve had a quick look at them, and there is an implied and expressed criticism of my conduct of the trial. He has made quite serious allegations of professional impropriety in my conduct of the case and that of my instructing solicitor.

“Bearing in mind what he has said about me in writing, I am in an invidious position. I do not feel able to mitigate for him today.”

Judge Lockhart commented: “This is most unfortunate. It is an unusual turn of events.

“Where counsel is openly criticised and there is an appeal to the Court of Appeal based on counsel’s conduct, it would not be right that counsel to continue to represent him.”

Miss Forsyth said Rolinson’s solicitors had no idea he had submitted documents to the Court of Appeal, so they would also have to consider whether they could continue to act for him.

After considering sentencing Rolinson without him being represented, the judge decided to adjourn the case to establish whether Rolinson's solicitors will still be able to act for him - and whether he can get another barrister to represent him.

Judge Lockhart told Rolinson: “I don’t know what the assertions you are making are, or how far they go. It seems to me you should see your solicitors as soon as possible. Do you wish to be still represented by them?”

Rolinson replied: “Yes sir. I think once we have a meeting I think there’s a good possibility they will represent me. If not, I will seek to get other representation.”

During his trial - the jury heard Rolinson had preyed on young men by sexually assaulting them during lessons between 2012 and 2014.

He was first arrested in 2012 after a teenager made a complaint about Rolinson touching him inappropriately.

No action was taken at the time – but in 2014 there was a further complaint by another young man.

Police then wrote to more than 700 men and women who had been taught by Rolinson over the three-year-period.

As a result - other youths, aged 17 and 18, who did not know each other, came forward to make complaints.

Judge Lockhart adjourned the case until April 22 and he warned Rolinson: “Granting you bail, I indicate what I have already said to you - that the virtual certainty is that you will receive a substantial term of imprisonment."