A teenager who sexually abused three young girls has been locked up for his campaign of degrading assaults.

Dominic Legg carried out a series of sexual assaults and rapes on his victims over a four-year period leaving them suffering from the traumatic effects of his abuse.

The 19-year-old’s victims ranged in age from under ten to 15 years of age and took place when he was under age as well with the abuse starting when he was around 12, Teesside Crown Court heard.

Claire Anderson, prosecuting, said the abuse has left one of his victims feeling suicidal due the impact of his behaviour towards her while another had been left feeling withdrawn and her personality had been changed.

In victim impact statements, the three young victims and their families outlined the devastating effect that Legg’s sexual abuse had on them.

One wrote: “What Dominic Legg did to me physically and mentally broke me. This has had a massive impact on my life and I will hate myself forever for not doing anything sooner.

“I was a vulnerable little girl.”

Another victim wrote: “I have had to go through therapy because of what happened to me. I could not even speak the words of what Dominic did to me.

“I fear every day that it will happen to me again and found it hard to adjust to normal life.”

Dominic LeggDominic Legg (Image: Cleveland Police)

Legg, of Harrow Street, Hartlepool, was found guilty of 13 charges against the three victims including counts of rape, sexual assault and engaging in sexual activity with a child following a trial.

Paul Abrahams, mitigating, urged the judge to bear in mind the defendant’s own age at the time of the offences when he came to sentencing the teenager.

Passing sentence, Judge Chris Smith said: “You committed these crimes over a long period of time when you were growing up. Three young women have been really affected by what you did to them."

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Legg was sentenced to a total of five years and nine months in a young offenders’ institute for all offences.

The teenager was also made subject to a sexual harm prevention order and a restraining order to protect his victims.

He was told that he must sign on the sex offenders’ register for the remainder of his life.