Man fathered two children with daughter

A pensioner was jailed for 12 years yesterday after a court heard he abused his daughter for three decades and fathered two children by her.

The 68-year-old man, who comes from Essex but cannot be identified for legal reasons, was jailed by a judge at Chelmsford Crown Court after admitting to offences including rape, incest and indecent assault.

The Crown Prosecution Service said that the man had fathered two children, who are now teenagers, by his daughter. The children thought that he was their grandfather and his crimes only came to light after his daughter spoke to a friend, who persuaded her to contact the police.

Last night, detectives praised the courage of the woman, now 45, and said they were satisfied with the sentence.

"The victim showed incredible courage," said Detective Constable Emily Monk, of Essex Police's child abuse investigation unit. This was an extremely serious case, where a man had abused his daughter over a very long period of time. She was not physically imprisoned but he controlled her and she felt she could not leave.

"If people are brave enough we will investigate and people will be punished for their crimes."