A Grahamstown High Court Judge on Wednesday sentenced a 24-year-old man to two terms of life imprisonment for the rape of two young girls.

Felize Ntangenkabi of Elliot was also given two ten year sentences for indecent assault.

Judge Fatima Dawood ordered that the second life sentence and the 20 years imposed for indecent assault, run concurrently with the first life sentence.

Ntangenkabi was convicted last November, of raping a three-year-old girl at his house, on 4 February 2004.

Then while on bail of R500, he broke into the house of a 13-year-old girl and raped her on 6 December, the same year.

Dawood said the accused had started "his criminal career at the tender age of 16 when he had been convicted of housebreaking".

"I have given very serious consideration whether substantial and compelling circumstances exist in this case, which would allow me to impose a lesser sentence, than the one prescribed by the legislation.

"I have come to the conclusion that there are none. His (Ntangenkabi's) conduct was despicable and he has ruined her young life. He carried out this brazen act in broad daylight.

"Even more reprehensible is the fact that he used the little girl's young brother to call her to go into his house. The girl has been so badly psychologically and emotionally damaged, she will never have a normal life or normal relationships.

"The rape of the girl of 13, while he was out on bail for the first rape, is a heinous crime. The accused has no regard for the law, or the rights of others. This girl now suffers from epilepsy, as a result of her rape trauma, and she now has to receive monthly medication," said Dawood.

Ntangenkabi, who throughout the hour-long proceedings refused to look at the judge, showed no visible reaction when the sentences were passed.