Man from Stroud who sexually assaulted five women is sentenced

A 64-year-old man from Stroud who sexually assaulted five women has been sentenced.

Michael Florek was a driving instructor and abused his position to sexually assault women while on driving lessons with him in the Stroud area.

He committed the crimes between November 2016 and November 2021.

The court heard how Florek would make sexual and inappropriate comments to the women during their lessons and he would ask them unwanted personal and sexual questions.

He sexually assaulted the women, who were aged between 17 and 19, by brushing his arm and hand against their breasts and by putting his hand on their legs.

Following an appearance at Cheltenham Magistrates' Court on 13 September, he was found guilty of five counts of sexual assault.

Florek, who gave his address as Swallowcroft, Eastington near Stonehouse, was sentenced at Gloucester Crown Court on Thursday 17 October and must now have his name added to the Sex Offenders' Register for the next ten years.

The 64-year-old was also handed a Sexual Harm Prevention Order which prohibits him from working or acting as a driving instructor until October 2034. During that time he must also provide police with the details of any vehicle he owns, uses or has access to.

In defence, Florek said that he may have accidentally made physical contact with the students when he was teaching them about clutch control or if he had to grab the steering wheel to avoid an accident.

He stated that on the occasions when this happened, the touching was never sexual.

The judge sentenced Florek to 14 months in prison, suspended for 24 months. He was ordered to carry out 150 hours of unpaid work and undertake a rehabilitation programme for up to 30 days. He was also ordered to pay £650 in prosecution fees.

Speaking after sentencing, Sergeant Hutton said: "I would like to commend the women who have worked with us to ensure that Florek is sentenced for the crimes he has committed.

"Thanks to them, and the court measures that have been put in place, the Stroud community is now a safer place.

"Florek abused his position as a driving instructor to sexually assault women and I welcome the decision to ban him from the profession for the next ten years.

"He claimed his actions were accidental - there is no excuse for committing sexual offences, and I would like to encourage anyone who has been sexually assaulted to please come forward.

"We will listen, you will be believed and we are dedicated to ensuring sexual offenders, and those who pose a risk to people, are held accountable for their vile actions."

If you have experienced rape, sexual assault or abuse, and wish to report the crime, contact police by calling 101 or 999 in the case of an emergency. You can also report sexual offences online here: https://www.police.uk/ro/report/rsa/alpha-v1/v1/rape-sexual-assault-other-sexual-offences/

Gloucestershire Rape and Sexual Abuse Centre support women dealing with the effects of rape and sexual abuse. For more information visit their website www.glosrasac.org/

                                                      MICHAEL FLOREK