DAVID HOLLAND OF PRESTATYN SENTENCED TO 34 YEARS FOR CHILD ABUSE IN NORTH WALES

In a harrowing case that has sent shockwaves through the community of Prestatyn and the wider North Wales region, David Charles Holland, aged 56, has been sentenced to a lengthy prison term of 34 years for a series of heinous crimes involving the sexual abuse of two young girls. The abuse, which spanned over two decades, was described by the court as some of the most chilling and serious cases ever brought before Mold Crown Court.

Holland’s criminal activities came to light after the second victim, who was under the age of seven at the time, disclosed the abuse to her father in May 2019. This revelation prompted a police investigation that ultimately uncovered a disturbing pattern of predatory behavior. The court heard that Holland had begun abusing the first girl in the mid-1990s, subjecting her to a decade of torment and suffering. The second girl’s abuse occurred several years later, adding to the gravity of his crimes.

During the sentencing hearing, Judge Niclas Parry described the profound impact Holland’s actions had on his victims. The judge emphasized that the older girl had endured “terror and pain and gratuitous degradation,” highlighting the severity of the trauma inflicted. Holland appeared via video link from HMP Berwyn in Wrexham, showing no remorse as the court detailed the extent of his offenses.

The court outlined the numerous charges Holland faced, including eight counts of rape, one sexual assault, seven indecent assaults, indecency with a child, encouraging a child to engage in sexual activity, making threats to kill, and distributing indecent images of a child. Prosecutor Anna Pope pointed out that Holland remains a significant danger to the public, citing his attitude of contempt towards the safety of children. She revealed that Holland had registered with one adoption agency and was in the process of applying to another, attempting to adopt a child over five years old, despite his known criminal history.

Further disturbing details emerged during the proceedings. It was revealed that Holland had stored encrypted images of children on thumb drives hidden within a hollow compartment of a vacuum cleaner and in a small plastic bag concealed in the gas meter cupboard of a house he rented, which remained largely unoccupied. The court was also informed that Holland’s older victim continues to suffer from the trauma, experiencing paranoia and childhood fears. She expressed her fears that Holland might one day be released and seek revenge, stating, “I worry that one day he will be free and come to find me and my family for revenge.”

Judge Parry condemned Holland’s lack of empathy and the chilling tactics he used to intimidate his victims. The court recounted how Holland had coerced the older girl into swearing on a Bible or warning her she would “die and go to Hell” if she reported him. He had also held a knife to her throat, threatening her life, and once showed her a burning toy doll. To protect his victims, the court imposed an indefinite restraining order banning Holland from any form of contact, direct or indirect.

Holland’s sentence requires him to serve a minimum of 19 years and four months before he becomes eligible for parole. The court’s decision underscores the severity of his crimes and the ongoing danger he poses to society.

In a related development in November 2019, a judge lifted a previously imposed order that had prevented the public from identifying Holland. The magistrates at Llandudno had initially issued the order, but it was challenged by the media and later deemed invalid by Judge Rhys Rowlands. The judge emphasized the importance of open justice and stated that there was no exceptional reason to withhold Holland’s name, which is publicly associated with his crimes in Prestatyn and North Wales.

Holland appeared in court from custody, facing a total of 29 charges, including rape, indecent assault, sexual activity with a child, and possession of indecent images. He admitted to eight charges, including indecent assault, indecency with a child, rape, sexual assault, and possession of prohibited images. He denied the remaining charges, which are scheduled for trial in April, with the case expected to last five days. Judge Rowlands remanded him in custody, indicating that a custodial sentence would be handed down based on the outcome of the upcoming trial.

This case highlights the ongoing issues of child exploitation and the importance of vigilant law enforcement and judicial processes in protecting vulnerable victims from predators like David Holland, whose actions have left a lasting scar on the community of Prestatyn and beyond.