A SOUTH-WEST Wales man who groomed his children into performing sexual acts with him and fathered at least six children has been given a 40-year extended life sentence.

The man – who cannot be named to protect the identify of his victims - was found guilty of repeatedly raping two of his daughters and one of the girls they subsequently gave birth to.

He showed no emotion as he was sentenced at Swansea Crown Court today (Friday).

Judge Paul Thomas QC jailed the man to 33 years with a further seven years to be served on extended licence.

He told him: "What you did to your family over a period of around 20 years plumbed the depths of depravity. Your behaviour was utterly wicked. You have left your victims, your daughters, with their lives in pieces.”

During the trial, the court was told the man groomed and systematically abused his children by creating a “false world” by “brainwashing” them.

The man also arranged the rape of one daughter by his friend, as he watched.

DNA tests revealed he had fathered at least six of his own daughter’s children, one of whom he went on to abuse.

He claimed it was the girls who were blackmailing him and the sex was consensual because he did not know they were his own children.

Judge Thomas said: "You raped them countless times, well into the hundreds.

"You took advantage of their extreme vulnerability caused by their age and circumstances and abused them cynically, mercilessly, evilly.

"In short, you are as cowardly as you are wicked."

He will not be eligible for release for 22 years but will only be released if the authorities consider he is no longer a danger. He will be a registered sex offender for the rest of his life.

Following the sentencing, Detective Chief Inspector Paul Jones said: “I welcome the sentence given today to this man. However the sentence he has received is nothing in comparison to the impact he has had and continues to have on his victims’ lives.

“The abuse this father put his own flesh and blood through is just sickening and I am pleased that Dyfed-Powys Police has been able to successfully investigate, charge and convict this monster.

“Their courage in coming forward and reporting this abuse that spanned over years should not go unrecognised. I sincerely hope this will help them overcome that period of their lives and move forward.

“I hope their strength will give others experiencing abuse the courage to come forward and report it to police. We will do everything in our power to bring offenders like this to justice.”