The mother of an 8-year-old girl who was sexually assaulted by a family friend put her face in her hands as the judge read the sentence for her daughter’s abuser.

Derrick Gregg Walden, 36, was sentenced to a minimum of 25 years in prison on one count of criminal sexual conduct in the first degree. The Niles man was also ordered to spend the rest of his life on GPS electronic monitoring after his release.

The victim’s mother was seated just a few feet away from Walden during Monday’s sentencing hearing in Berrien County Trial Court in Niles.

“It is really hard to even look at him — it really is,” she said. “I am happy with the sentence and I think my daughter will be too.”

A jury convicted Walden of the charge of criminal sexual conduct in the first degree, which carries a mandatory minimum sentence of 25 years in prison and a maximum of life in prison.

Judge Dennis Wiley said the victim testified in trial that Walden took her from the bedroom where she was sleeping and assaulted her in a bathroom, away from other people in the home.

“Why you did what you did, I don’t know,” Wiley said. “You took this child’s innocence away from her and that is not forgivable.”

Walden’s attorney, Jason Ingram, said it appears to be the first time his client had been charged with this type of crime.

However, Wiley said Walden had been imprisoned for a breaking and entering crime in Georgia in 2003/04.

When asked if he had anything to say prior to sentencing, Walden said, “No your honor.”

Also Monday, Thomas James Holycross, 47, of Adrian, was sentenced to 23 months in prison on one count of receiving and concealing stolen property valued between $1,000 to $20,000.

Holycross was one of three co-defendants convicted for their role in stealing items from a Niles home in December of 2013.

The victim of the break-in said she is disappointed that Holycross did not get charged with a more serious crime. Co-defendant Michael Blake, of Niles, was sentenced to 32 months in prison and co-defendant Jodi Kalin, of Niles, was sentenced to 16 months.

“I am upset with whole matter,” said homeowner Beverly Thompson.

Wiley suggested that Thompson talk to the prosecutor’s office if she is upset with charges brought against Holycross.

Holycross must also pay more than $8,500 in restitution.

Also Monday, Shawn Davis, 19, of Edwardsburg, was sentenced to three years of probation on one count of attempted reckless driving resulting in serious bodily impairment. Davis must also serve 150 days in jail and 180 days on electronic monitoring.