Ledyard Man Sentenced for Sexually Assaulting Girls: AP

A 29-year-old Ledyard man has been sentenced to 10 years in prison for sexually assaulting three girls.

Judge Hillary Strackbein sentenced James Matthewson on Monday in New London Superior Court and called his behavior "unspeakable."

Ledyard police arrested Matthewson on Feb. 28 and charged him with five counts of first-degree sexual assault and three counts of risk of injury to a minor. A judge issued protective orders. 

Matthewson pleaded guilty in June to three counts of first-degree sexual assault and one count of risk of injury to a child.

He was sentenced on Monday, according to the state Department of Correction Web site.

Prosecutors said Matthewson had extensive sexual contact with the girls last year and part of this year, when they were between 6 and 9 years old.

Authorities said the girls first raised the allegations several years ago but recanted, so authorities couldn't pursue charges.

Matthewson will have to serve 10 years of parole and 35 years of probation after prison. He also must register as a sex offender the rest of his life.