A Nepean man who committed a series of sexual assaults on young girls in Ottawa's west end will spend six years in prison.

Brent McGrath, 25, was sentenced Wednesday for six counts of sexual assault and two counts of invitation to sexual touching.

McGrath was arrested after police set up a command post in Ottawa's Trend-Arlington Park to monitor a suspect wanted in several sexual assaults, involving victims mostly under the age of 15. The youngest victim was an 11-year-old girl.

McGrath told the court he targeted younger girls because they were "easier to control." He pleaded guilty to the crimes in June.