No reads, just sat down. Didn't want to play for stacks, with one shortstack and one deepstack in the same hand I thought I should play very cautiously and go for value whilst not risking everything.

Party Poker $5 No Limit Hold'em - 5 players
The Official 2+2 Hand Converter Powered By DeucesCracked.com

BTN: $2.82
SB: $13.12
BB: $4.88
UTG: $6.32
Hero (CO): $7.37

Pre Flop: ($0.06) Hero is CO with J A
UTG calls $0.04, Hero raises to $0.20, BTN calls $0.20, SB calls $0.18, 1 fold, UTG calls $0.16

Flop: ($0.84) 3 4 A (4 players)
SB checks, UTG checks, Hero bets $0.40, BTN calls $0.40, SB folds, UTG calls $0.40

Turn: ($2.04) 5 (3 players)
UTG checks, Hero bets $0.50, BTN calls $0.50, UTG calls $0.50

River: ($3.54) 6 (3 players)
UTG checks, Hero......

This was a mess. Can someone tell me my bet sizing was awful please?
I think I failed to think about range enough throughout the hand.

Yes.

You're also not exactly "pot controlling" per-se if you're betting each street

Your bet sizing was awful, sir.

the problem is, with 4 villans in the hand I have to bet to protect. but I'm protecting mostly against overpairs (55-99) and maybe a couple wheel draws like A5, with very few outs, so half pot should be enough. on the turn I'm mindful not to check as some hands picked up a bunch of outs and 55-99 may still be in thinking they're good.

do you think bet pot on flop and check turn is better?
Infact in hindsight why did I not just bet huge each street since nothing really beats me.

Flop is decent, halv pot turn and check behind river.

Bet at least 2/3 pot on flop/turn. Check river.

why am I betting 2/3, pure value from weaker aces? I guess it might inevitably help make the pot smaller if fewer people continue.