Dad accused of fathering children with his daughter found guilty of 36 counts of rape

A father found guilty of a campaign of rape and abuse against his daughter has been told by a judge "a very long prison sentence awaits".

The man, who cannot be identified in order to protect in victims, but is from south west Wales, was convicted by a jury of 36 counts of rape and one charge of sexual assault.

He was found to have fathered "at least" six children with his daughter over the course of a 20-year-period.

He is also accused of repeatedly raping one of those children he had with his daughter, and of repeatedly raping another of his daughters.

The prosecution said he used elements of witchcraft and the occult to manipulate his victims, including creating a fake mystic who told the females to perform sex acts with him.

When he gave evidence in his defence, he said the sexual relationship with the female began when she was aged 14 - and she blackmailed him into a sexual relationship he did not want.

He told the court he did not know at the time that the teenager was his biological daughter, but accepted that "everybody believed I was".

The jury took four hours and 23 minutes to make their deliberations.

Judge Paul Thomas said "it was one of the worst cases I've heard in 40 years" and thanked the jury for doing their duty.

"I have been involved in criminal cases as a barrister and as a judge for 40 years. This is in the top three worst cases I have ever had to deal with. I’m used to it, but for you to have to listen to this sort of evidence must have been a difficult experience. I can only thank you for doing your duty."

Judge Paul Thomas has told the defendant that he will be sentenced next Friday. He told him: “You will not be surprised to hear a very long prison sentence awaits you.”

The defendant did not speak in response and has been remanded in custody.

Hayley Fackrell, of the CPS said: “These sickening acts of abuse were carried out by a person that was supposed to protect and care for the victims, but instead he systematically controlled their lives, grooming them for his sexual gratification.

“The CPS provided advice from an early stage in the investigation, guiding the way the case was built, ultimately leading to these convictions.”