A 50-year-old Windsor man was sentenced Friday to two years in jail for directing two teenage stepdaughters to touch themselves sexually while he videotaped them.

The man, who cannot be identified by court order, had earlier pleaded guilty to two counts of producing child pornography and one count of sexual interference for offences that occurred between January 2006 and August 2009. He also had some nude photographs of the girls.

Superior Court Justice Bruce Thomas, who said the man "kept these images for his own twisted pleasure," also handed the man three years' probation during which time he will not be able to possess any devices capable of storing images unless for employment. As well, the man is barred from communicating with the victims, and cannot go to places such as parks or community centres where children under the age of 16 are likely to be present.

He must submit a DNA sample and will be registered on a national sex-offender registry.

Thomas said the offence was made worse because the victims were his stepdaughters and that the offences were committed in their home and on video. But Thomas said that the accused pleaded guilty, showed remorse, did not otherwise have a library of child porn, and did not appear to share the images with anyone else.

"Looking at it now, I feel manipulated," one of the victims said in court while reading an emotional victim-impact statement that left many of her supporters teary-eyed. "I was taken advantage of by a father figure. I was violated emotionally and sexually."

She said she experiences nightmares, is more fearful at night, and suffers anxiety attacks when she sees her former stepfather around town.

"I am not OK. I am angry and hurt," she said, before suggesting that the sentencing will give her some closure so she can move on. "I want my dignity back. And that day is today."

When asked by the judge if he had anything to say, the accused spoke for several minutes, expressing remorse and apologizing to the victims and saying, "I am a terribly flawed individual who did something very wrong.

"I realize that I have hurt them deeply and it's irreparable," he said, adding that he hopes one day they can forgive him. "I love them. I loved them when I lived there. I still do.

"I do offer them an apology. Most sincerely, I wish and hope and pray that they will heal from this."

The Crown had proposed a 2½-year sentence.

Defence lawyer Frank Miller, who has asked for less than two years so that his client could avoid penitentiary time, had noted to the judge that the presentence report was largely positive.

The accused "accepts full responsibility," Miller said. "He recognizes there are no excuses for his behaviour."