The mother of two girls who were sexually assaulted by Herbert Whitmarsh said at his sentencing this morning in New London Superior Court that she hopes he is suffering as much as she and her children are suffering.

Whitmarsh, 37, had pleaded guilty to risk of injury to a minor in exchange for a sentence of five years in prison followed by 15 years of strict probation. He will be required to register as a sex offender for 10 years upon his release from prison. Judge Patrick J. Clifford also issued a standing criminal protective order that prohibits him from having contact with the victims for the next 50 years.

Whitmarsh, who knew the girls, had gone into their bedrooms at night and sexually assaulted them over a three-year period, according to prosecutor Theresa Anne Ferryman. The girls are now in their teens. One sister disclosed the abuse to her father in July 2011, and the other revealed that she, too, had been victimized, according to Ferryman.

The mother, who did not use her name in order to protect the identity of the victims, said the ordeal has shattered the family.

"I will probably never forgive myself for allowing this monster into my house," she said.

Public Defender Bruce A. Sturman said he hopes the girls will work through their issues and heal. He said Whitmarsh had been sexually assaulted as a child and that the perpetrator went to prison. He said Whitmarsh is ready, willing and able to address his own issues.

"We tend to see the cycle of the abuse perpetrated on children by people who have been victims themselves," Sturman said. "It is hard to accept."

Whitmarsh sobbed as he offered a one-line apology.

"I do take full responsibility and I am greatly sorry," he said.

Judge Clifford said the fact that Whitmarsh was abused demonstrates the vicious cycle of child sexual assault but does not minimize or mitigate the crimes.