A PAEDOPHILE who repeatedly molested his own daughter has been jailed for 12 years.

The 51-year-old abuser from Worcester put his head in his hands and there was wailing from the public gallery as the jury found him guilty of repeatedly sexually assaulting his daughter after a week long at Worcester Crown Court which finished yesterday.

The jury of six men and six women took four hours and 37 minutes to convict the defendant by unanimous verdict of two counts of sexual assault on a child under 13, two counts of sexual assault by penetration and one count of inciting a child to engage in sexual activity.

He was acquitted of a single count of causing or inciting a child to watch sexual activity (pornography).

The victim read her victim impact statement from behind a screen, describing how the defendant's abuse had contributed to her eating disorder and behavioural issues. She said: "I am uncomfortable working with boys and have a fear of men. I don't want to enter into a relationship."

She added: "My childhood has been extremely difficult and I live every day with what my father has done."

The girl was supported at court by her mother and her mother's partner who observed from the public gallery.

Judge Jim Tindal said at the end of the hearing: "You are a very brave young woman. You have put up with a hell of a lot from life. I hope this will enable you to move forward. You have my best wishes for the future."

Judge Jim Tindal warned the family who supported the defendant before he passed sentence: "This is not the place for howling and wailing."

He told the defendant: "When she was aged between five and 12 you repeatedly sexually abused her by kissing her - that's how it started - moving on to touching her and getting her to touch you and penetration of her."

Some of the abuse involved the use of a sex toy but the judge decided that the worst of the assaults took place with the defendant's fingers, leaving her 'painful for several days afterwards'.

For each count of sexual assault on which the jury convicted him they had to be sure that he carried out such an assault on at least two occasions.

Judge Tindal jailed the defendant for 12 years and he must also spend an extra year on licence. He will not be automatically eligible for release at the halfway point of his sentence. The defendant must sign as a sex offender for life and he will be disqualified from working with children or vulnerable adults.

A sexual harm prevention order was also made.