A “trusted” member of Peterborough’s Nepalese community has been jailed for abusing seven girls and a woman. Pramod Dhakal, who performed some religious ceremonies, abused his position of authority within the community to commit his crimes which included the rape of a girl as young as eight.

Over a period of 17 years, the trust of the community allowed Dhakal, 49, "trusted access to a number of young females", Cambridge Crown Court heard. Dhakal was found guilty of 25 sexual offences and jailed for 25 years, with an extended period on licence of eight years. The offences included five counts of rape of a child under 13 and two of rapes of a child over 13.

According to prosecutor Claire Matthews, one victim described the predator as "second father" but was left feeling “helpless” after the 49-year-old raped her, telling her “it won't take long", the BBC reports.

Her ordeal endured in the aftermath of the attack, as the victim told the court how "culturally, disclosing this abuse as a child felt impossible".

She added: "Pramod Dhakal chose to abuse me as a child. The consequences didn't end when the abuse stopped.”

The majority of the offending took place in Peterborough, with one offence having been committed in London.

In a victim impact statement, one victim told Dhakal that she wished “nothing but the absolute worst for him."

Another added: "I thought I was the only one, we all did."

Judge Mark Bishop told the court that Dhakal continued to deny his guilt, despite the evidence, victim impact statements and verdict.

He condemned Dhakal for what he called “victim blaming” in his pre-sentencing report, expressing distaste at Dhakal’s boasts for the achievements his victims went on to achieve in later life.