A man who abused two children, aged just three and nine at the time the abuse started, has been sentenced to 16 years in prison and one year on license.

Michael Stevens, 32, of Watson Road, Worksop, was sentenced at Sheffield Crown Court on 15 November for the repeated sexual abuse of minors.

Detective Constable Wendy Howe, from the Sheffield Protecting Vulnerable People Team, said: “I’m pleased that we have secured a lengthy prison sentence and that we have removed a dangerous and abusive man from the streets.

“I would like to commend the bravery of the young girls in coming forward to report the horrific abuse they suffered at the hands of Stevens. It is thanks to their bravery and support throughout the investigation that Stevens will now spend the next 17 years of his life behind bars.”

Forensic examination of mobile devices in Stevens’ home found indecent images of children as well as digital evidence of rape and sexual abuse against the two girls.

The two young victims are legally entitled to life-long anonymity.

Stevens was first arrested on 26 August 2023 when one of the victims reported their abuse.

During his arrest, a property search led to the recovery of the mobile devices that Stevens had attempted to conceal from police. Evidence on the phones led officers to identify a second victim.

Following this, officers further arrested Stevens in November 2023 on suspicion of possession of indecent images of children and voyeurism.

During his sentencing, Stevens was handed a Sexual Harm Prevention Order and Restraining Order against his victims.

He had also previously pleaded guilty during an earlier hearing to five counts of sexual assault of a child under 13, one count of rape of a child under 13, eight counts of making indecent photography/pseudo-photography of a child, one count of voyeurism and one count of inciting a girl under 13 to engage in sexual activity.

Detective Constable Howe added: “The rape and sexual abuse that Stevens subjected his victims to will no doubt leave severe and lasting damage on them, but I hope that this result offers the girls the chance to begin to rebuild their lives.”