ROCKY MOUNT -- Several character witnesses testified Monday on Dean Harold Stone's behalf during his trial on molestation charges, including two ministers who have counseled him.

One said Stone is seeking biblical forgiveness, as well as the forgiveness of the victims.

But despite the talk of forgiveness and repentance, Franklin County Circuit Court Judge William Alexander imposed sentences that exceeded the state's guidelines on the 12 charges Stone faced. Stone is a danger to young girls, Alexander said, imposing a 225-year sentence.

The sentence will be suspended after Stone serves 48 years.

"That essentially is a life sentence for you, and it should be," Alexander said.

Stone, 45, pleaded guilty in April to the 12 felony sex crimes, which included nine charges of aggravated sexual battery and three counts of inanimate or animate object sexual penetration.

The incidents occurred between 2006 and 2008 when two of the girls were 13 or younger, and the third was between the ages of 14 and 16.

Stone turned himself in to police in the fall after reportedly mumbling a confession to the congregation at Heritage Baptist Church in Vinton, where he was a deacon. The crimes did not occur at the church, but the admission came shortly after the church's former assistant pastor Daniel Silverman was charged with aggravated sexual battery of a child in Roanoke County. Silverman, 43, pleaded no contest and is scheduled to be sentenced next week. He faces up to 20 years in prison.

Police have said the two cases are not related and that none of the acts took place on church property.

Stone was indicted on 24 felony charges in November. Commonwealth's Attorney Cliff Hapgood said a plea bargain was agreed upon to protect the girls from testifying in court.

"I went beyond where I should have gone," Stone said, weeping as he addressed the judge Monday.

Stone said he led a double life and claims to suffer from a sex addiction.