A TEENAGER has been sent to the Crown Court accused of rape and a series of serious domestic abuse-related offences.

Jaydan Bell, aged 18, of Granby Close, Llanelli, appeared before Llanelli Magistrates’ Court on Monday (Dec 22) charged with three offences alleged to have taken place over a four-day period.

The court heard that Bell is accused of raping a woman aged 16 or over on Friday (Dec 20). He also faces an allegation of stalking, said to have occurred two days earlier, and a further charge of engaging in controlling or coercive behaviour within an intimate or family relationship.

The offences are alleged to have taken place between December 16 and December 20.

No pleas were entered at the hearing.

Magistrates ruled that the case was too serious to be dealt with at magistrates’ level and ordered that all three matters be sent to the Crown Court for trial.

Bell was remanded on conditional bail pending his next appearance.

The case will now proceed through the Crown Court, where the allegations will be considered by a judge and jury.

Volunteers sought across England and Wales as government moves to speed up justice system

A MAJOR recruitment campaign is under way to attract thousands of new magistrates in England and Wales, as the UK Government presses ahead with wide-ranging reforms to tackle delays in the courts.

The Ministry of Justice has confirmed it wants to recruit a further 2,000 volunteer magistrates over the next financial year, building on the more than 2,000 already trained since 2022. The move forms part of efforts to reduce long-standing backlogs in the Crown Court system and deliver faster justice for victims.

Deputy Prime Minister and Justice Secretary David Lammy said magistrates were central to the justice system, dealing with the vast majority of criminal cases and playing a vital role in local communities.

He said: “Magistrates hear thousands of cases every year and deliver justice across every jurisdiction. They are everyday people serving their communities, and we need more volunteers from all backgrounds and age groups to step forward.

“Becoming a magistrate can be a life-changing experience and makes a real difference to society.”

The recruitment drive follows the announcement of proposed court reforms in December, which include plans to expand magistrates’ sentencing powers. Under the proposals, magistrates could be allowed to impose prison sentences of up to 18 months, compared with the current limit of 12 months, enabling them to handle more serious cases. The government has also indicated that the cap could rise to 24 months if required.

Other proposals include limiting jury trials for certain offences and introducing faster-track courts within the Crown Court system, where cases could be heard by a single judge.

The Magistrates’ Association welcomed the renewed focus on the role but warned that additional support would be essential. It said increased responsibility must be matched by investment in trained legal advisers, proper staffing levels and repairs to deteriorating court buildings.

Magistrates are unpaid volunteers and are expected to sit for a minimum of thirteen days each year. They are supported by professional legal advisers and work across criminal, youth, family and civil courts.

Latest figures from the Ministry of Justice show that 57% of magistrates are women, while 14% come from ethnic minority backgrounds. Outside London, diversity levels remain significantly lower than the population as a whole.

Judicial leaders say they are looking for applicants with strong communication skills, sound judgement, impartiality and the ability to weigh up competing arguments.

However, the proposals have attracted criticism from opposition politicians. Shadow justice minister Kieran Mullan said the government’s record on court backlogs had worsened and warned that curbing jury trials risked damaging public confidence in the justice system.

He said recruiting more magistrates was welcome, but argued it would not resolve deeper structural problems within the courts.

A CARMARTHENSHIRE man will be sentenced at Swansea Crown Court on Monday (January 5) after pleading guilty to multiple serious sexual offences involving children.

David Prothero, aged 39, from Tumble, is due to appear before a Crown Court judge for sentencing

The victims in the case are children who are legally entitled to lifelong anonymity.

Abuse disclosed to police

The court previously heard that allegations of sexual abuse were disclosed in early 2025, relating to offences said to have taken place from February 2025 onwards.

The offending included rape and other serious sexual acts, as well as sexual touching. The abuse was later reported to police, triggering an immediate investigation.

Officers arrested Prothero on Thursday, August 14, 2025. He was subsequently charged and remanded into custody.

Further allegations uncovered

Following his arrest, police worked alongside social services, during which additional allegations of assault and child neglect were identified.

On Friday, December 5, Prothero appeared at Swansea Crown Court, where he pleaded guilty to the following offences:

• 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
• One count of assault

Sentencing due Monday

Sentencing will take place on Monday, with police expected to issue a statement following the hearing.

The case has been described as highlighting the courage of the victims in coming forward to report serious sexual abuse.

The Herald will report fully from court once the sentence has been handed down.