A former British swim coach who hung out behind bars 20 years in the past has acquired a second jail sentence after a brand new sufferer stepped ahead in a sexual abuse case.
Michael Drew, 78, initially acquired a six-year sentence in 2001 after 5 boys got here ahead and alleged he sexually abused them between 1969 and 1991 whereas teaching them throughout south London, east London and south Essex.
Drew was serving because the president of the British Swimming Coaches Affiliation when the accusations got here to gentle, leading to him being faraway from the place in 2000.
In 2022, a sixth male sufferer approached police alleging Drew abused him whereas he was between the ages of 13 and 15 within the Seventies.
Prosecutor Madeleine Wolfe instructed Croydon Crown Court docket that Drew satisfied the boy to carry out intercourse acts on him, telling him it could improve his Vitamin E ranges and enhance his swimming performances.
When he stepped ahead in 2022, the sufferer instructed police he trusted Drew implicitly and assumed the abuse was for his profit.
He described Drew as “evil” in a sufferer assertion and instructed the court docket how the abuse has impacted his grownup life.
“The most important remorse of this unhappy felony offence was that I couldn’t talk about what occurred to me,” he wrote, in line with Echo Information.
“All through the Seventies I struggled with the power to make associates because of the limitations. In my training I discovered it troublesome to pay attention at college as a result of what was occurring to me. I’ve a way of guilt for not talking out sooner. The rational aspect of me needed to get it out however the emotional aspect of me needed to maintain it in.”
Drew pleaded responsible to 6 counts of indecent assault earlier than he was sentenced to 2 years and three months in custody on Friday.
His lawyer, James Manning, tried to maintain Drew out of jail and lobbied for a suspended sentence.
“Mr. Drew tells me he feels ashamed and referred to his behaviour as insanity,” stated Manning.
“He was convicted in 2001 and was given a big sentence. He spent a very long time in custody and the system has labored in that he has not reoffended. He has come out and lived a distinct life.”
“He not poses a menace to youngsters, or for that matter, anyone.”
Choose Daniel Flahive was unwavering in his perception {that a} jail sentence was vital.
“He was in his teenagers within the Seventies and he regarded as much as you as a swimming coach,” Flahive stated. “You had been famend in your subject. The boys thought the world of you and regarded to you to assist their future careers as swimmers.
“You took benefit of that.
“He was a toddler and he was susceptible. All of this drives me to the opinion that there needs to be a jail sentence right here.”
