MAN TO BE SENTENCED TO 10 AND A HALF YEARS IN PRISON FOR MULTIPLE CHILD RAPE OFFENCES
UPDATE 05/01/2026: A man sexually abused two young girls then tried to blame the drink and drugs he was consuming, a court has heard.David Prothero repeatedly sexually assaulted the children - including on one occasion molesting a girl when she was in her school party dress - and orally raped one of his victims.
In total, Prothero subjected four different children to sexual abuse or violence.
Locking up the 39-year-old former carpenter, a judge at Swansea Crown Court described his behaviour as "inexcusable" and said what the defendant did would have "devastating" long-term impacts on the victims.
Andrew Kendall, prosecuting, told the court that the offending came to light in August last year after one of the victims made disclosures to her mother that the defendant had been sexually assaulting her and had orally raped her.
The court heard one of the sexual assaults saw Prothero touching the girl's breasts while she was wearing a party dress.
The police were contacted, and a subsequent investigation then identified further victims - a young teenage girl the defendant had repeatedly sexually abused, and a boy and a girl he had been physically violent towards.
David Prothero, of Tumble, Carmarthenshire, had previously pleaded guilty to two counts of oral rape of a female aged 13, four counts of engaging in sexual activity with a female under 18, four counts of sexual assault on a female, ill-treatment of a child and assault by beating when he appeared in the dock for sentencing.
He has one previous conviction for being drunk and disorderly from 2009.
James Hartson, for Prothero, said the defendant had no history of sexual or violent offending on his record.
He said his client was "mortified, ashamed, and deeply embarrassed" by his actions and was "struggling to come to terms" with what he had done.
He said Prothero worked as a carpenter before his addiction to drugs and alcohol developed, and although he had sought to blame his use of drink and drugs, "that is not an explanation which washed with probation and which will not wash with this court - there can be no excuse".
Judge Huw Rees told the defendant his behaviour had been "inexcusable" and said what he did would have "devastating" long-term impacts on the victims and their families.
He sentenced Prothero to 10-and-a-half years in prison, with two-thirds to be served in custody before release on licence.
He will be registered as a sex offender for life and subject to indefinite sexual harm prevention orders and lifelong restraining orders to prevent contact with his victims.
After sentencing, Dyfed-Powys Police detective inspector Rebecca Thomas described the case as "disturbing" involving four innocent victims, praising their bravery and encouraging others to speak out if they are suffering silently.
She remarked on the moment when a victim said, "he can't control me anymore," upon Prothero entering his guilty pleas.
"This is as much about freedom as it is about justice.
I hope the victims in this case can take heart knowing that Prothero is in prison, as they begin to move forward with their lives," she said.
———————————————————————— A Carmarthenshire man, David Prothero, aged 39, from Tumble, is set to be sentenced at Swansea Crown Court on Monday (January 5) after pleading guilty to multiple serious sexual offences involving children.
These include two counts of rape of a female aged 13, four counts of sexual activity with a female aged 13–17, four counts of sexual assault on a female, one count of ill-treatment or neglect of a child, and one count of assault.
The victims are children who are entitled to lifelong anonymity.
Allegations of sexual abuse were disclosed in early 2025, with offences said to have taken place from February 2025 onwards.
The abuse involved rape, other sexual acts, and sexual touching, leading to police investigation following the report.
He was arrested on August 14, 2025, and charged.
The case highlights the courage of the victims coming forward to report serious sexual abuse.
