A sexual predator who raped and assaulted vulnerable teenage girls has been given a sentence of more than 17 years.
Shirish Vishnu Mohan, 42, assaulted three victims, who were all aged no older than 15 at the time of the abuse.
The abuse, which occurred between 2020 and 2021, largely took place in Nelson.
Judge Daniel Prowse, at Burnley Crown Court, said each of the victims had shown bravery in coming forward and reporting Mohan, of Weetwood Lane, Leeds.
He said: "None of your victims are in any way to blame for what you did. You are the only person to blame for the abuse you perpetrated.
"Whilst each may feel in some way responsible, they are not. The bravery shown by each of the girls prevented you from perpetrating further abuse.
"All three are brave. Brave for alerting others to what you had done, for speaking to the police, for giving evidence and being called liars, and for continuing to be involved in this case.
"I commend each girl for bravely standing up to you in the way each has to reach this point and to reach justice being done."
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Mohan initially denied all of the offences against him at a plea hearing in September 2024 and took the case to the first day of trial.
There, he pleaded guilty to two counts of rape, five counts of non-penetrative sexual activity with a girl, and one count of assault by penetration.
David Lees, prosecuting, read statements from the victims to the court, one of which said they felt "ashamed and embarrassed" about what happened and that their "emotional well-being was significantly impacted."
They said they had experienced nightmares since Mohan's abuse and that they made her feel "drained."
Another of the victims said the offences "had a significant impact on me mentally, emotionally, and academically," and that it had changed the way she views people.
She also said she had held everything inside her, often feeling "sadness, anger, and frustration" that she could not express.
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Emma Kehoe, mitigating, said Mohan was "burying his head in the sand" by taking the case all the way to the first day of the trial before realising "there was nowhere to go".
She said he does not try to excuse what he did, and he accepts he is an abuser.
Ms Kehoe added: "He wishes to be rehabilitated so nothing like this ever happens again.
"He is bitterly disappointed with himself, and he wants me to apologise to the victims and their families and assure them he has learnt his lesson."
Judge Prowse imposed a sentence of 17 years and eight months, made up of a custodial term of 12 years and eight months, and an extended licence period of five years.
Mohan must serve at least two-thirds of the custodial term in prison before he can be considered for release on licence by the parole board.
He was made the subject of a sexual harm prevention order for 30 years and was placed on the sex offenders' register indefinitely.
Restraining orders between Mohan and all three victims were imposed for life.
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