TWO sisters systematically raped by their father for decades have bravely unmasked his vile incest and paedophilia after he escaped a prison sentence for his crimes.

George Ford, 79, from Trowbridge, first forced himself on his daughters when they were just three and six years old and continued to rape them and indecently assault them until they were 16 and 19.

Until recently Ford lived with his family in Orchard Road, Trowbridge, but has moved to St Austell in Cornwall to live with his son after being added to the Sex Offenders' Register for five years. Ford's daughters, Teresa Hornblow, 53, and Elaine Reader, 48, both from Trowbridge, are angry that he has kept his freedom and is now living with> young children.

The two women gave up their right to anonymity as victims of sexual assault to speak to the Wiltshire Times and expose their father for the monster he is, after he was sentenced to a two-year supervision order at Swindon Crown Court on Friday.

Ford was previously found unfit to stand trial but a jury found he had committed the offences. Speaking about the abuse Mrs Hornblow said: "We were considered to be the best family on the estate. If there was ever a problem to be sorted out people came to my father. Little did they know he was indiscriminately raping his daughters.

"The first time I can remember him raping me was when I was six and Elaine was three.

"He would show me graphic pornographic magazines with pictures. Then he would have sex with me. He said it was my duty as the eldest daughter and then he would tell me I was naughty and promiscuous."

Mrs Reader said: "He would get at us whenever he had the chance. All he needed was a few minutes. My mother used to go out with all my brothers and sisters and leave me behind and he would rape me."

Mrs Hornblow said: "He ruled the house with a rod of iron. If he sent everyone else to bed at 5pm, they went. Then I knew I was going to be raped.

"We were both living in fear of getting pregnant by him throughout our teens. Thankfully it never happened."

The two sisters held on to their secret for decades, living in fear of their father and made to feel guilty for what he was doing to them.

They decided to go to the police after somebody else affected by Ford got in touch with them, and now they want other victims of sexual abuse to come forward.

Mrs Reader said: "Even when nobody else believes you the police are really supportive and they look after you."

Mrs Hornblow said: "To be able to stand up in court and tell your story without fear of being put down and actually having people believe you rather than tell you to hush it up was an amazing feeling. It's just a shame he still has his freedom."

Mrs Reader added: "Even though the guilt and the shame has lifted you never forget. You always have the memories. They never leave you."

  • Help is available for victims of rape and sexual abuse in west and north Wiltshire, whether the crime has been reported to the police or not and whether the offences took place recently or in the past.

The Wiltshire Rape Support helpline for young rape victims and adult victims of child sex abuse is 0808 800 1144.

Specially trained staff at Victim Support Wiltshire are also on hand to talk to by calling (01380) 738888.