The sentencing of David Prothero was described by police as being “as much about freedom as it is about justice” for his young victims.

A man has been jailed for sexually abusing two young girls and physically assaulting other children, in a case in which he initially attempted to blame his offending on alcohol and drug use.

David Prothero, 39, repeatedly sexually assaulted the children, including an incident in which he molested a girl while she was wearing her school party dress. He also orally raped one of his victims. In total, he subjected four children to sexual abuse or physical violence.

At Swansea Crown Court, the judge described Prothero’s actions as “inexcusable” and warned that his behaviour would have “devastating” long-term consequences for the victims.

Prosecutor Andrew Kendall told the court that the offences came to light in August last year when one victim disclosed to her mother that she had been sexually assaulted and orally raped by Prothero. One of the assaults involved him touching the girl’s breasts while she was in a party dress.

Following these revelations, police launched an investigation, which identified further victims: a young teenage girl who had been repeatedly sexually abused, and a boy and girl who had been subjected to physical violence.

Prothero, from 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, ill-treatment of a child, and assault by beating. He has one previous conviction for being drunk and disorderly from 2009.

Defence barrister James Hartson told the court that Prothero had no prior history of sexual or violent offending. He said his client was “mortified, ashamed, and deeply embarrassed” by his actions and was “struggling to come to terms” with them. Hartson explained that Prothero had previously worked as a carpenter before developing addictions to drugs and alcohol. While Prothero had attempted to attribute his offending to substance misuse, the barrister acknowledged that this “was not an explanation which washed with probation and will not wash with this court—there can be no excuse.”

Judge Huw Rees emphasised the “inexcusable” nature of Prothero’s behaviour and its “devastating” impact on both the victims and their families.

Taking into account his guilty pleas, Prothero was sentenced to ten and a half years in prison. He will serve two-thirds of the sentence in custody, with the remainder served on licence in the community. He will be a registered sex offender for life and is subject to indefinite sexual harm prevention orders, as well as lifelong restraining orders to prevent contact with his victims.

Dyfed-Powys Police detective inspector Rebecca Thomas, of the Carmarthenshire rape investigation team, described the case as “disturbing,” involving four young and innocent victims.

She praised the victims’ courage, saying: “The bravery shown by the victims in this case must be recognised. Their courage to speak out against this abuser is ultimately what has put David Prothero in prison today. These children are a credit to themselves and to their family.

“If anyone, no matter their age, finds themselves suffering in silence, I want to encourage them to come forward. We have a dedicated team of investigators, specially trained in crimes of this nature, who will support you every step of the way. We are compassionate, and we are capable. We will do everything we can to secure justice, as we have seen today.

“I won’t forget the moment one victim said, ‘He can’t control me anymore,’ when Prothero entered his guilty pleas.”