Agencies apologised for missing opportunities to stop the incest

The 52-year-old man, from Swindon, was jailed for 15 years last August for raping the woman who was sexually abused over a period of two decades.

Police and other agencies admitting missing key opportunities to stop him.

The 18-month investigation examined why the agencies were unaware the incidents were happening.

Public apology

The man's daughter was eight years old when he started indecently assaulting her.

Three of the pair's children have genetic disorders and disabilities.

Following the findings of a second inquiry, a public apology has been issued on behalf of all agencies - the police, the National Health Service and Social Services - involved.

Jean Pollard, from the Swindon Area Child Protection Committee said: "We recognise that there were some key missed opportunities to protect the children of this family.

"On behalf of all the agencies representated there, I would to make a public apology to the family for that."

The report also found that staff had worked well with family under "aggressive" circumstances.

It noted that staff did finally respond well, although too late.

Oversight

The abuse progressed to rape, and the woman, now 32, gave birth to their first child when she was 19.

A review of the case was launched after it emerged Swindon Social Services were unaware of the incest allegations until shortly before the birth of the sixth child.

An initial investigation, which ran from April to December 2003, failed to discover how the oversight occurred.

This second inquiry, by an independent consultant, began in December 2003.

It was criticised in September this year by a leading child protection specialist, who said it had taken too long to reach a conclusion.