DAVID COLE OF LLANDDAROG SENTENCED TO 15 YEARS FOR CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE IN CARMARTHEN AND DYFED

In a case that spanned decades, David John Cole, a 68-year-old man from Cae Person, Llanddarog, Carmarthen, Dyfed, was recently held accountable for heinous crimes committed against two young children. Despite the offences occurring over forty years ago, Cole was only brought to justice after a lengthy investigation and legal process.

In May of the previous year, Cole was sentenced at Swansea Crown Court to a term of 15 years in prison for his involvement in multiple sexual offences. The court found him guilty of raping a young girl and subjecting her to other forms of sexual abuse, as well as committing additional sex crimes against a young boy. The severity of his actions and the impact on his victims were central to the court’s decision to impose such a lengthy sentence.

Following his conviction, Cole sought to appeal the sentence, claiming that it was excessively harsh and should be reduced. On Friday, he appeared before London’s Court of Appeal to make his case. However, the panel of judges, comprising Mrs Justice Simler, Lord Justice Fulford, and Mr Justice Wyn Williams, dismissed his appeal, reaffirming the original sentence.

Mrs Justice Simler emphasized the gravity of Cole’s crimes, stating, “This was a campaign of sexual abuse of two young children, which included rape and caused significant psychological trauma and impact. This sentence was not manifestly excessive.” The judges’ decision underscores the seriousness with which the justice system treats such violations, especially those committed against vulnerable minors, regardless of the time elapsed since the offences occurred.