A ‘dangerous predator’ preyed on young girls for over two decades - including when he was living in Manchester.

Gavin Corcora, who inflicted devastating psychological harm on his victims, has been handed a 25-year extended sentence at Swansea Crown Court - but still maintains he has done nothing wrong.

Police in Swansea, who described the 44-year-old defendant as a ‘dangerous predator’, launched an investigation in 2020 after one victim came forward to report that Corcoran had sexually assaulted her when she was a child, WalesOnline reports.

During the course of the investigation two women then came forward and disclosed sexual abuse by Corcoran, of Holmfield Avenue, Moston, on numerous occasions when they were children.

Corcoran was charged in relation to the three victims in 2021 and subsequently remanded into custody after failing to attend his trial later that year. In 2022 a fourth victim came forward to report Corcoran had sexually assaulted her while he was living in Manchester. He was charged with two further offences relating to this victim.

In a series of personal statements read to the court, the victims detailed the devastating impact Corcoran's offending has had on their lives. One described how she had been left feeling "worthless" and like she didn't deserve anything good in her life, and how she turned to self-harm, alcohol abuse and "self-destructive behaviours".

Another victim described how she too turned to self harm and binge drinking to take away the emotions she was dealing with and how she held herself in "utter disregard".

She said when she turned 21 she was "surprised" she had made it that far, and said she had "sabotaged" every relationship she had been in. She added that she would always feel like "that scared little girl", adding: "I know I will never lead a normal life.... this kind of thing never leaves you".

In her statement, another victim said as a result of the abuse she was left feeling "empty and confused" and went on to become "the naughty girl" at school who was always in trouble. She said as she got older she entered a series of toxic relationships with people who took advantage of her.

All three described the additional pain and distress caused by a series of delays in the case reaching the point of sentencing. All Corcoran's victims have life-long legal anonymity.

Corcoran had previously been convicted at trial of eight counts of sexual assault, indent assault, and causing or inciting a child to engage in sexual activity when he returned to the dock for sentencing.

He has 30 previous convictions for 75 offences including robberies, burglaries, cocaine dealing, shoplifting and public disorder but none for sexual matters. Nicola Powell, for Corcoran, said the defendant still denies responsibility in relation to the offences but accepts he is to be sentenced following the jury's verdicts.

Judge Catherine Richards gave Corcoran an effective 25-year extended sentence comprising a 10-year determinate sentence for the Manchester offending to be followed by a 15-year extended sentence for the Swansea offending to run consecutively comprising 11 years in custody followed by a four-year licence period. He will be a registered sex offender for the rest of his life, and was made the subject of an indefinite sexual harm prevention order.

Speaking after the sentencing, South Wales Police detective inspector Sharon Gill-Lewis said: "Gavin Corcoran is a dangerous predator who inflicted untold damage upon his multiple child victims. His abuse spanned over two decades, from 1997 to 2018. This case has been particularly difficult and very distressing for the victims, with the trial having been run five times due to a number of factors, including Covid and the fourth victim being identified.

"Today's sentence reflects the professionalism, hard work, and dedication of detective constable Eleanor Dallas, who has worked tirelessly throughout this investigation to ensure that the victims got the justice they deserve. They finally got that justice today."