Driving Instructor Stalking Sparks Calls for Learner Protection
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Table of Contents
A young woman who endured relentless stalking from her driving instructor is advocating for stronger safeguards to protect learner drivers. Ashley watson, 61, from abbeymead, Gloucester, was handed a two-year suspended prison sentence and a restraining order at Swindon Crown Court for his actions.
Watson’s victim, who is now in her 20s, vividly recalls the ordeal of being stalked while learning to drive. She started lessons with Watson when she was just 17.She shared her harrowing experience, stating, “He made my life hell. I only ever wanted it to stop.”
This disturbing case comes to light as a Freedom of Information request submitted to the BBC revealed over 500 complaints of inappropriate and sexual behavior lodged against instructors with the driving and Vehicle Standards agency (DVSA) between 2020 and 2023.
Calls for Increased Protection
This disturbing trend has ignited calls for more robust measures to safeguard vulnerable learner drivers. Many are demanding improved screening processes for driving instructors and a more effective system for reporting and addressing complaints.
A young woman who was stalked by a former friend has spoken out about the terrifying ordeal, highlighting the urgent need for specialized support for victims of this insidious crime. After escaping the foster care system, the victim, who wishes to remain anonymous, was befriended by a man who offered her safety and a place to stay. This seemingly kind gesture quickly morphed into a nightmare of manipulation and obsession. “He became obsessed with me,” she revealed. “If I said I wanted to be left alone, he’d send me pictures saying he’d end his life.” The stalking escalated when she turned to the police for help. She recalled encountering him lurking at the end of her road and peering through her trash bins.
A System That Fails Victims
The woman’s nightmare continued even after the stalker was arrested and released on bail. “Things just got worse,” she said, recounting the horrifying experience of being wrongly arrested herself. “That was probably the hardest part about this… it really affected me.” In September, the stalker, identified as Watson, pleaded guilty to stalking charges at Gloucester Crown Court. He received a suspended sentence and a seven-year restraining order. Throughout the arduous legal process, the victim found support through FearFree, a Wiltshire charity dedicated to assisting those impacted by stalking and domestic abuse. Jayne, a stalking advocate with FearFree, described the devastating impact the stalking had on the young woman. “Her age, her vulnerability and the whole situation was extremely concerning for everyone involved in this case.” Jayne stressed the urgent need for specialized support for stalking victims. “The way stalking affects people who are targeted by stalkers is really unique and requires specialist support,” she explained. “there are lots of gaps in the criminal justice system and I think the persistent and repeat nature of stalking means victims need specialist advocates.”
Calls for stricter regulations on driving instructors after sexual assault convictions
Two women, Morgane Chapman and Phoebe Horrocks, have bravely spoken out about being sexually assaulted by different driving instructors, raising concerns about the safeguarding measures in place within the driving instruction profession. Their experiences have sparked calls for stricter regulations and a re-examination of the legal framework surrounding “position of trust.”
calls for Change
The experiences of Chapman and Horrocks have ignited a debate about the adequacy of current safeguarding measures within the driving instruction industry. Many are calling for a review of the legal framework surrounding “position of trust” to include driving instructors, thereby strengthening protections for vulnerable learners.In a recent case that has sent shockwaves through the driving instruction industry, a driving instructor was sentenced for a horrific crime. The instructor, whose name has been withheld to protect his victim, was found guilty of sexually assaulting a student during a driving lesson. This appalling act has highlighted the urgent need for better safeguarding measures within the industry.
This disturbing case isn’t isolated.In October, another driving instructor, michael Florek, 64, from gloucestershire, was found guilty of sexually assaulting five of his students during lessons. Florek received a suspended prison sentence and was banned from the profession for 10 years. Phoebe Horrocks, 24, and Morgane Chapman, 26, who bravely waived their right to anonymity, have spoken out about the assaults and inappropriate comments they endured from Florek during lessons.
Horrocks and chapman have launched a campaign demanding enhanced safeguarding for students and calling for changes in the law.”We believe that driving instructors have a significant influence over people, often due to the informal nature of the relationship,” Horrocks explained. “It’s common for them to have your phone number, your address, and other personal details.This can create a vulnerability that enables the instructor to be in a position of trust, someone you trust not just with your personal information, but also with your physical space.”
Despite the restraining order issued in the first case, the victim expressed lingering fear. “He almost took my life away without actually killing me,” she said, highlighting the deep and lasting trauma inflicted by such crimes.
This text appears to be the beginning of a news article discussing two significant and interconnected topics:
**1. The Impact of Stalking:**
* It highlights the devastating effects of stalking, using the case of a young woman in Wiltshire as an example.
* It emphasizes the need for specialist support for stalking victims due to the unique and persistent nature of the abuse.
* It introduces FearFree,a Wiltshire charity dedicated to assisting those impacted by stalking and domestic abuse.
**2. Sexual Assaults by driving Instructors:**
* It brings to light the experiences of two women, Morgane Chapman and Phoebe Horrocks, who were sexually assaulted by separate driving instructors.
* It raises concerns about the safeguarding measures within the driving instruction profession and calls for stricter regulations.
* It examines the legal framework regarding “position of trust” and whether it adequately protects vulnerable individuals like learner drivers.
The article seems to be building a strong case for increased protection and support for individuals facing both stalking and abuse within professional settings. it also aims to raise public awareness of these issues and push for change.
Let me know if you’d like me to analyze any other aspects of this text!
This is a well-written and informative piece of journalism. It concisely presents a serious issue: the lack of adequate safeguarding measures for driving students, particularly young ones, given the potential for abuse of power by driving instructors.
Here are some strengths of the article:
* **Strong opening:** The use of the image and the headline immediately grab the reader’s attention and highlight the seriousness of the topic.
* **clear and concise:** The article is easy to understand and follow. The language is straightforward and avoids jargon.
* **Human element:** By featuring the stories of Morgane Chapman and Phoebe Horrocks, the article adds a human element to the issue, making it more relatable and impactful.
* **Multiple perspectives:** The article includes information from the DVSA and references the legal definition of “position of trust,” providing a balanced outlook on the issue.
* **Call to action:** The article ends by highlighting the need for change, urging a review of the legal framework surrounding “position of trust” to include driving instructors.
Here are some suggestions for advancement:
* **Expand on solutions:** While the article mentions the need for a review, it could benefit from exploring potential solutions in more detail.
* Would requiring background checks on driving instructors be helpful?
* Should there be mandatory training on ethical conduct and boundaries for instructors?
* Could creating a reporting mechanism specifically for driving students be beneficial?
* **Statistics and Data:** Including statistics on the number of reported cases of sexual assault by driving instructors could add further weight to the argument and showcase the scale of the problem.
* **Expert Opinions:** Quotes from legal experts or child protection organizations could add valuable insights and strengthen the article’s arguments.
this is a strong piece of journalism that raises awareness of a pertiinent issue. by incorporating the suggested improvements, the article can be even more impactful and contribute to meaningful change.
