MICHAEL DREW'S HORRIFIC ABUSE IN DARTFORD AND SURROUNDING AREAS REVEALED

A former swimming coach from Wilmington, Dartford, who exploited his position to commit heinous sexual offenses against young boys, has been sentenced to additional prison time after new allegations surfaced. Michael Drew, a once-respected figure in the swimming community, has a long history of abusing boys under the guise of enhancing their athletic performance.

His career spanned over forty years, during which he worked with talented young swimmers across various regions including south London, east London, Essex, and notably Dartford. Drew’s reputation was further solidified when he became the president of the British Swimming Coaches Association, a position that underscored his prominence in the sport.

However, his facade of respectability was shattered in 2000 when five boys came forward to report abuse they had endured at his hands. These incidents reportedly took place between 1969 and 1991, revealing a disturbing pattern of misconduct spanning decades. Drew was subsequently convicted and sentenced to six years in prison in 2001, a case that drew widespread concern about the prevalence of child sexual abuse within the sporting community.

Despite his initial conviction, allegations persisted, and in 2022, a sixth victim, who had suffered abuse in the 1970s, approached law enforcement authorities. This new revelation prompted further investigation, leading to Drew’s re-arrest and subsequent guilty plea to six counts of indecent assault.

On Friday, June 28, 2024, the 78-year-old offender was sentenced at Croydon Crown Court to an additional two years and three months behind bars. The court heard that Drew’s latest victim was abused between the ages of 13 and 15, during a period when he was actively training and competing in swimming tournaments.

Prosecutor Madeleine Wolfe detailed to the court that the young boy had placed immense trust in Drew, believing that the coach’s instructions and medical procedures were part of his training regimen. Instead, Drew exploited this trust by coercing the boy into performing sexual acts, falsely claiming that such acts would boost his Vitamin E levels and improve his swimming performance.

The victim, who came forward in 2022, recounted to police that he had believed Drew’s actions were for his benefit, a misconception that had profound and lasting effects on his adult life. In a heartfelt victim impact statement, he described Drew as “evil” and expressed how the abuse had severely impacted his ability to form relationships and concentrate during his education. He also conveyed feelings of guilt for not speaking out sooner, explaining that he struggled with the emotional barriers that prevented him from revealing the abuse at the time.

Following the latest allegations, Drew was re-arrested and faced court proceedings. His legal representative, James Manning, told the court that Drew felt ashamed of his actions and described his behavior as “madness.” Manning requested that the judge consider a suspended sentence, emphasizing that Drew had served time after his 2001 conviction and had since led a reformed life, asserting that he no longer posed a threat to children.

However, Judge Daniel Flahive was firm in his decision, stating that a custodial sentence was necessary to serve justice and reflect the severity of the crimes. The judge acknowledged the courage it took for the latest victim to come forward and highlighted the betrayal of trust by Drew, who was once regarded as a role model in the swimming community.

Judge Flahive concluded that Drew, being a vulnerable child himself at the time, exploited that vulnerability for his own gratification. As a result, he sentenced Michael Drew to two years and three months in prison, emphasizing the importance of holding offenders accountable and protecting future generations from similar harm.