A man who sexually abused his two young stepdaughters over a period of time, was jailed for two years on Tuesday. The 49-year-old admitted to four of eight charges of molestation, unnatural sex and an indecent act.

The first victim was between seven and eight years old when he made her perform oral sex on him in 2007.

On another occasion in 2012, he asked the victim, then 12, for a hug while teaching her to play the guitar. She declined as her mother had advised her against displaying physical affection towards him.

He then asked her to follow him to the master bedroom. She complied and he hugged and kissed her on her cheek. She pushed him away. Undeterred, he held her by the arms and asked her to "kiss the mouth'' but she refused, pushed him away and ran to her room and locked it.

She told her mother the next day about what had happened. The mother confronted him and he apologised, saying he was unable to control his lust. The accused's wife decided to give him a second chance. She did not report him to the police or leave him.

Deputy Public Prosecutor Sharmila Sripathy-Shanaz told the court the offences came to light in August 2012 when the younger victim's teacher noticed a decline in her academic performance. When questioned by a counsellor, she revealed that she had been sexually abused by her stepfather.

When questioned, the victim's older sister recounted a similar experience. Investigations showed that the older girl was six years old in July 2004 when the accused placed her hand on his private parts.

The sisters are now living with their maternal grandmother. Four other charges were considered during his sentencing.