Daniel Bottger 36

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A "dangerous offender" who carried out a catalogue of abuse against four young girls has been jailed for 20 years.

Daniel Bottger has already served around half of a 14-year sentence for the rape of a fifth girl which took place after the latest offences which were brought before a court. Bottger had been released from prison prompting four other victims to come forward, Hull Crown Court was told.

Bottger, 35, of Sculcoates Lane in Hull, denied nine offences including two of rape and others of attempted rape and indecent assault. He was convicted by a jury after a trial.

One of the victims said in a statement: "I try to be a strong person but I am not really . . . I don't want anyone else to go through what I have been through." A second victim said: "All I have is trauma . . . I feel like I am on the verge of a mental breakdown. I live in a constant state of panic. I feel isolated like a prisoner in my own home. I look at the same four walls day in, day out.

"I get triggered by every noise. It has been extremely difficult to live with the awful pain for so long, but I have finally gained the strength and courage to speak out."

A third victim said her experiences had been "horrible". A fourth victim added: "Peace still feels very far away. This almost killed me. It almost stole my will to live. The key word in all this is 'almost'."

Charlotte Baines, mitigating, said that psychological harm had been caused to the victims and Bottger had been assessed as posing a high risk of committing further sexual offences. He had committed no further offences since being released from prison after his 14-year sentence for two offences of rape against the fifth girl, for which he was convicted by a jury in 2013.

The two rapes against the fifth girl had been committed after the offences involving the other four girls, but they came to light first. "Since his release, he has made the choice to isolate himself," said Miss Baines.

"He has not been in any relationships. He was keeping his head down and sticking to his licence conditions. He was living an isolated existence with his dog. These are all factors that reduce his risk."

Bottger still denied the offences and claimed that the four girls had all lied, the court heard. He had been on bail during the trial and arrived each day at court on a bicycle, which he left secured outside the court. He was remanded in custody after being convicted of the offences and the bicycle remained secured outside the court for several days until eventually being removed.

Judge Mark Bury told Bottger: "You have left in your wake four traumatised young women. Chickens have a habit of coming home to roost and I can tell you that yours have. Each of these four complainants have had severe psychological harm.

"I hope that they can get some closure from the end of these proceedings. Your attitude was to blame everybody but yourself. You wouldn't discuss the offences with the probation officer. This is a clear case where you pose a significant risk to members of the public. You are, therefore, a dangerous offender."

Bottger will not be released from prison until the Parole Board decides that it is safe to do so. He will be on extended licence of four years after his release.

Following sentencing, Detective Constable Emma Andrew, of Humberside Police, described Bottger as "an abhorrent man" who "cruelly abused his victims". DC Andrews added: "He has shown no remorse for his actions, putting his victims through the further torment of a trial by refusing to admit his crimes.

“I am reassured that Bottger is now facing significant time behind bars for his crimes . . . I want to thank the victims for their bravery in coming forward and commend them for the courage they have shown.”