Herefordshire man sentenced to 24 years for the rape and abuse of young women

Ben Prothero was sentenced at Birmingham Crown Court to 24 years following his conviction for multiple sexual offences.

The 26-year-old of Metcalfe, Ross-On-Wye, pleaded guilty earlier this year to 17 offences, which related to crimes he committed between 2008 and 2020. The charges included:

• Two counts of rape of a child under 13
• Five counts of rape of a female under 18
• Attempted rape
• Causing a female under 15 to engage in penetrative sexual activity
• Penetration of a female under 16
• Engage in controlling/coercive behaviour in an intimate/family relationship
• Two counts of sexual assault on a child under 13
• Two counts of sexual activity with a child under 18
• Two counts of sexual activity with a child under 16

He will serve 18 years in prison, with six years to remain on licence as a dangerous offender and is now listed on the Sex Offenders Register for life.