Michael Drew's Social Media Accounts
Know a Social Media Account Linked to Michael Drew?
Want to add information? Log in to your account to contribute accounts and phone numbers.
MICHAEL DREW, LAINDON SWIMMING COACH CONVICTED OF SEXUAL ABUSE IN 2001 AND 2002
In February 2002, Michael Drew, a former top swimming coach from Laindon, had his jail sentence reduced after initially being sentenced for abusing boys he coached. Drew, who was 55 at the time, had previously admitted to indecently assaulting young boys between 1969 and 1991, pretending his actions would aid their swimming development. He was sentenced to eight years at Snaresbrook Crown Court in April 2001. However, three senior judges later determined that the sentence was "manifestly excessive," and reduced it to six years.Judge Lord Justice Longmore commented that Drew did not enter coaching to access boys and acknowledged the seriousness of his breaches of trust, though he noted the acts were not of the "most depraved nature."
In a related case in June 2001, Michael Drew was jailed for eight years for engaging in a "completely depraved" series of sexual assaults on young boys. Drew, who was also President of the British Swimming Coaches Association, was convicted of abusing at least five boys aged 13 to 15 over two decades, from the late 1960s through 1991. The abuse occurred at schools and swimming clubs around London, with victims coming forward two years prior to his conviction.
Judge David Radford at Snaresbrook Crown Court described Drew's conduct as "utterly depraved," highlighting his blatant manipulation for sexual gratification and his disregard for the boys in his care. Drew was also ordered to be placed on the child sex register for life.
The court also mentioned Paul Hickson, another prominent swimming coach who trained Olympic swimmers and was convicted of 17 offences, including rape, in 1996.
Following Hickson's case, Drew, in his capacity as President of the BSCA, spoke publicly, stating: "The Hickson case did a lot of damage to our profession. Now we have to establish the procedure that will make it easier for suspects to be dealt with. If anyone has any doubts about the conduct of one of our members they should come directly to me."
