Crime

Recruitment drive launched to find thousands of new magistrates

Published

2 days ago

January 3, 2026

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.

Crime

Former carpenter jailed for sexual and physical abuse of children

Published

5 hours ago

January 5, 2026

Luke Sinclair

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.”

Crime

Carmarthenshire teen sent to Crown accused of rape and controlling behaviour

Published

18 hours ago

January 5, 2026

Court Reporter

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.

Crime

Man to be sentenced for multiple child rape offences

Published

3 days ago

January 3, 2026

Court Reporter

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.