A judge in central Illinois has handed down a 16-year prison sentence for a Bloomington man accused of sexually assaulting a girl more than 400 times over three years.

Assistant State's Attorney Karle Koritz asked for a 30-year sentence for 49-year-old Rob Mathews.

Mathews' defense attorney, however, argued for the minimum 10-year sentence, pointing out that he came forward and admitted his conduct before the victim said anything or a police investigation.

Mathews pleaded guilty to predatory criminal sexual assault.

In sentencing Mathews on Monday, Judge Robert Freitag called the extensive abuse "absolutely abhorrent crimes."