A 47-year-old man from Cornwall will spend the next three decades behind bars after being found guilty of sexually abusing girls as young as five over a 20-year period.

Danny Owen, of Maddever Crescent, Liskeard, was today (Monday) sentenced at Truro Crown Court to 34 years, by Judge Robert Linford.

The sentence comes following a 17-day trial in February, where the jury found Owen guilty of 24 offences against four victims. He was found not guilty of five offences against a further two people.

Owen was sentenced to a custodial sentence of 28 years, with an additional six years on licence.

The court heard accounts of how Owen would inappropriately touch some of the young victims and tell them it was normal. Owen’s behaviour escalated to rape in some of the cases; after forcing himself on the victims, he told them not to tell anyone what had happened.

The victims were aged between five and early teens when the offending occurred.

The controlling and abusive behaviour was sustained over months and even years in some cases.

Owen continually denied the allegations in interview and told officers he didn’t know why the victims would make such claims against him.

Praising the victims for coming forward and telling their stories, Investigating Officer, Detective Constable Amy Wooldridge and Former Detective Sergeant Tim Wright, said: “We are delighted with the sentence passed by the court today following a four-year investigation into offences committed between 1990 and 2011.

“We hope this outcome will bring comfort and closure to the brave women who not only reported what happened to them but supported a long running and complex investigation. I admire the strength of these women who stood up in court and faced him, in order to tell their stories.

“We would like to thank everyone who supported this investigation and allowed us to achieve the outcome that all those who suffered from his sexual attacks deserve.”

The officers continued: “I hope the outcome secured from this case serves as a reassurance to others who may have been sexually abused that we will investigate thoroughly and do everything we can to bring offenders to justice.

“We will listen, and you will be heard.”

• If you’ve been affected by anything in this news article, support is available. You can report information to police online via the Devon and Cornwall Police website or by calling 101.

Alternatively, advice and support are also offered by partner agencies:

National Rape Crisis Helpline 0808 802 9999

Victim Care Unit (Devon and Cornwall) 01392 475900

Devon and Cornwall Sexual Assault Referral Centres (SARC) 0300 3034626