'My former driving instructor stalker made my life hell'

A woman who was stalked by her former driving instructor says he "almost took my life away without actually killing me."

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

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

Now in her 20s, Watson's victim started driving lessons when she was 17 and living in foster care.

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

He began stalking her after she passed her test and stopped having lessons.

"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," she said.

Going forward she would 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 victims need specialist advocates."

To be an approved driving instructor, an individual needs to be considered a "fit and proper" person.

The Driving and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) considers factors including whether a person has been barred from working with children or had any substantial complaints of inappropriate behaviour.

The DVSA confirmed Watson was removed from the register in October 2024 but did not give a reason.

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

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

Amendment: This article was amended on 16/04/2025 to make clear the victim had passed her driving test and was no longer having lessons.

Update: 30 July 2026: This article was the subject of a partially upheld complaint to the BBC's Executive Complaints Unit. You can find details here.

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