GETHIN PROUT SENTENCED IN CWMBRAN FOR SEXUAL ASSAULT AFTER DRUG-INDUCED INCIDENT

In a case that has sent shockwaves through the community of Cwmbran, Gethin Prout, a 37-year-old man residing in Cae Derwen, was sentenced to serve 18 months in prison after pleading guilty to a charge of sexual assault. The incident, which took place in February 2013, culminated in Prout's arrest and subsequent court proceedings at Newport Crown Court.

According to court records, Prout claimed he had no memory of the events that transpired during the assault. Despite this, he chose to plead guilty to the charges brought against him. Judge Stephen Hopkins QC, presiding over the case, expressed skepticism about Prout’s claim of amnesia. The judge indicated that, although he did not have direct evidence, he believed Prout was “clearly aware” of his actions at the time.

Prosecutor David Willow provided details of the events leading up to the assault. He explained that Prout had become increasingly “over amorous” with the victim at a pub on the night of the incident. During this time, Prout admitted to having sniffed a substance, which was identified as mephedrone, also known as MCat. The court heard that later in the evening, Prout offered the victim, who was also intoxicated, some cannabis. The combination of alcohol and drugs appeared to have played a significant role in the events that followed.

The victim confided in a friend a few days after the incident, and subsequently disclosed the details to her family. This led to Prout’s arrest and police intervention. During police interviews, Prout stated he had no recollection of what had happened, attributing his memory loss to alcohol and drug use. However, he later voluntarily returned to the police to provide a further statement, reiterating his lack of memory but indicating his intention to plead guilty when the case was brought to court.

In her victim impact statement, the woman described feeling “scared and upset” following the assault. She also revealed that she had contemplated moving away from South Wales to escape the trauma. The court took these emotional and psychological effects into account during sentencing.

Judge Hopkins sentenced Gethin Prout to 18 months imprisonment. Additionally, he ordered Prout to sign the sex offenders’ register for ten years, a measure intended to monitor and restrict his contact with the victim. A ten-year restraining order was also issued, prohibiting Prout from making any contact with the woman. Furthermore, he was required to pay a victim surcharge of £120 as part of the court’s penalty. The case highlights the serious consequences of drug-fueled misconduct and underscores the importance of justice for victims of sexual assault in the Cwmbran community.