A man has been sentenced to 15 years in prison for historic sexual assaults on children as young as eight.

Stephen Burrows, also known as Marc, 47, of Fitkin Court, Redhouse, Swindon, Wiltshire, was found guilty of the offenses following a trial in August.

He pleaded guilty to two counts of sexual assault on a child under 13, assault by penetration and causing a child to engage in sexual activity and was sentenced at Swindon Crown Court on Thursday.

He committed his crimes by staying in the homes of his victims between 1999 and 2012 and exploiting them.

Burrows was in his 20s when he attacked his first victim, when she was between eight and 10 years old, attacking him when he got up to drink in the early hours of the morning.

He attacked his second victim twice, when she was between 10 and 12 years old.

In a statement read out in court, one of the victims said: “Needless to say, no child should have to go through what I went through.

“The moment this adult decided to do what he did to me as a child, I felt my entire life was taken away from me.

“I think the man who did this to me should get what he deserves; the passage of time changes nothing for me and I feel as strong as the day it happened.”

Another victim said in a statement: “Mark’s decision all those years ago affected my life in many different ways.

“Not only did it take away from my childhood, but it also affected my relationship with other people.

“It took away my self-worth, my confidence, and made me feel like I was unlovable.”

Det Sgt Chris Hughes said Burrows “manipulated” the two girls when they were “just kids”.

“As adults, years after the abuse ended, they found the courage to report what happened to them to the police,” he said.

“I want to congratulate them for their bravery in coming forward and their conduct throughout this case.”

He added that “it is never too late to report child sexual abuse” and encouraged anyone who was abused as a child to contact the police.