A FATHER found guilty of raping his own daughter has just been sentenced to 20 years in prison.

Elliot Appleyard, 70, of Gilthwaites Crescent, Denby Dale, spent last night behind bars after being found guilty yesterday of 15 charges following a two week trial.

But he was back before Leeds Crown Court this lunchtime to hear his sentence and was jailed for 20 years.

The court had been told how Appleyard told his then teenage daughter Carol Higgins, now 49, that it was his duty to ‘break her in’ before raping her over a three-year period in the 1980s.

He had denied five counts of rape and ten counts of indecent assault which took place between April 1982 and April 1985.

Shouts of ‘paedophile’ rang out from the public gallery yesterday after a jury found him guilty of all counts.

Carol chose to waive the anonymity automatically granted in sexual offence cases in a bid to raise awareness of sexual abuse.

Had she not waived this legal right, the Chronicle would have been unable to reveal that Appleyard’s victim was his own daughter.

An NSPCC spokesman said: “This is a truly horrifying case and it is right that Appleyard has faced justice for his crimes.

“For his daughter’s childhood to have been destroyed by Appleyard’s twisted domination of his family is truly sickening and we hope she is now receiving all the support she needs.

“At the NSPCC, Our Letting the Future In service works with young people who have experienced sexual abuse to rebuild their lives so they can overcome the past and look forward with hope.”

For help and support children can contact ChildLine 24 hours a day, 365 days a year on 0800 1111 or by visiting www.childline.org.uk

Adults with concerns about a child can contact the NSPCC helpline in confidence, 24 hours a day seven days a week, on 0800 808 5000 or via help@nspcc.org.uk.

Full story following Appleyard’s sentencing in next Friday’s Chronicle.