'My driving instructor stalker made my life hell'

A woman who was stalked by her driving instructor is calling for more protection for learner drivers.

Ashley Watson, 61, of Abbeymead, Gloucester was given a two-year sentence, suspended for two years at Swindon Crown Court for stalking.

It comes as a Freedom of Information request by the BBC revealed there have been more than 500 complaints of inappropriate or sexual behaviour by instructors to the Driving and Vehicle Standards Agency between 2020 and 2023.

Watson's victim, from Gloucestershire, said he made her life "hell", and she only ever '"wanted it to stop".

Now in her 20s, she started driving lessons with Watson when she was aged 17 and while living in foster care.

She described herself as "vulnerable" and said he befriended her, offered her somewhere safe to stay, but then "became obsessed" with her.

"He would follow me, he would spread lies about me, send me cards in the post," she said.

"If I said I wanted to be left alone he’d send me pictures saying he’d end his life."

The stalking escalated further when she reported him to the police.

"I saw him at the end of the road, sat on the corner. I caught him outside my house looking through my bin."

After he was arrested he was released on bail, which she says is when things "just got worse".

At one point, she was wrongly arrested.

"That was probably the hardest part about this... it really affected me," she said.

Watson pleaded guilty to stalking at Gloucester Crown Court in September, and was given a suspended sentence and a seven-year restraining order on Thursday.

His victim was supported through the process by Wiltshire charity FearFree, which helps people impacted by stalking and domestic abuse.

Jayne worked as her stalking advocate, and described the impact on the victim as "horrendous".

"Her age, her vulnerability and the whole situation was extremely concerning for everyone involved in this case," Jane added.

Going forward she'd like to see more specialist support for victims.

"The way stalking affects people who are targeted by stalkers is really unique and requires specialist support.

"There are lots of gaps in the criminal justice system and I think the persistent and repeat nature of stalking means that stalking victims need specialist advocates."

Responding to the Freedom of Information request, the Driving and Vehicle Standards Agency said: "The safety of learner drivers is our priority and we treat complaints extremely seriously and in confidence.

"We fully investigate any complaints about approved driving instructors (ADI), involving the police if necessary.

"Pupils are encouraged to report all incidents of inappropriate ADI conduct to us."

But Watson's victim said she would like to see more regulations in place to protect pupils, especially those under 18.

"He was in a position of power over me and even though he’s in a position of power the law doesn’t recognise him as in a position of trust – that needs to change," she said.

'Position of trust' is a legal term that refers to certain roles and settings where an adult has regular and direct contact with children.

Examples of positions of trust include teachers, care workers, youth justice workers, social workers and doctors.

Currently to be an approved driving instructor an individual needs to be considered a 'fit and proper' person.

The DVSA will consider factors including whether a person has been barred from working with children or had any substantial complaints of inappropriate behaviour.

Watson's victim is not the only one calling for change.

In October, driving instructor Michael Florek, 64, from Gloucestershire was found guilty of sexually assaulting five of his students during lessons.

He was given a suspended prison sentence and banned from the profession for ten years.

Phoebe Horrocks, 24, and Morgane Chapman, 26, who have waived their right to anonymity, have spoken out about how he assaulted them and made inappropriate comments during lessons.

They have set up a campaign to improve safeguarding for pupils, and also want to see a change in the law.

"We believe that driving instructors do have a big influence over people often due to the informal nature of the relationship.

"It's normal for them to have your number to contact you, your details, your home address and so all of those factors can create such a vulnerability that enables the instructor to be in a position of trust, someone that you trust with not only your personal details, but also your physical space."

Although Watson was given a restraining order, his victim said she remains worried.

"He almost took my life away without actually killing me."