A Troy man will face life in prison after pleading guilty to raping and sexually abusing two young girls.

John Tolbert, 40, was sentenced Tuesday in the Pike County District Court after pleading guilty in June 2008 to two charges of rape, six charges of sexual abuse first degree and six charges of sexual abuse of a child less than 12 years old.

Judge Thomas Head sentenced Tolbert to seven years for each of the sexual abuse charges, but those charges will run concurrently with one another.

Tolbert was sentenced to 15 years in prison on the six charges of sexually abusing a child less than 12, and that sentence will run consecutively with the other sentence.

And he was sentenced to one life sentence for the two rape charges.

The life sentence will also run consecutively with the other two.

“I know of no more despicable act one human can betray against another,” Head said.

Tolbert pleaded to these charges after he committed these 14 acts with two children, one 12 and the other 10 years old at the time.

The names of the victims and his relationships to the victims will not be released to protect their identity.

In court, Assistant District Attorney Tom Anderson requested Tolbert receive the maximum sentence, which would total two life sentences and an additional 30 years when added together.

“I can only imagine how these acts have affected (these two),” Anderson said. “This will haunt them until their last living days.

“Nothing will ever give them their childhood back.”

Tolbert, who was defended by attorney Thomas Haigh, requested a lesser sentence, saying he was remorseful for his crimes.

“I regret it everyday,” Tolbert said. “I know I was wrong for what I’ve done, but I admit my mistakes.”