A HIGH-flying dentist has been convicted of assaulting a teenager in a school car park.

Dr Robert Wright, who has a weekend cottage in Sevenoaks, admitted grabbing a 16-year-old boy, leaving bruises, and kicking him a number of times in the backs of his legs.

The dental specialist, one of three in his field in the UK, now faces losing his Harley Street dental practice Dental Implant London.

Sevenoaks Magistrates' Court heard on February 3 how Wright, 58, lost his temper while he was teaching his son, Adam, to drive in the Wildernesse school car park.

The victim, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was with two friends on September 3, 2008, who laughed at the learner driver for stalling 12 times.

The court heard how Wright got out of the car and beckoned to the boy to follow him towards the bushes. Once they got out of sight and not wanting to follow him any further, the boy stopped.

Wright grabbed him by the arm and kicked him two or three times in the back of the legs.

Wright denied the assault and told the court he only wanted to give the three "a piece of his mind" because they had provoked him and his son.

Chairman of the bench Keith Johnson ordered Wright to pay £465 in costs and compensation and the Crown £1,150 for wasted court costs after a previous trial had to be disbanded because of evidence negligence.

See this week's Sevenoaks Chronicle for full story