A MAN who had sex with his natural daughter over a four year timespan was told by a judge that people would be "offended and appalled" by his behaviour.

The father, in his mid 40s, committed incest with the vulnerable young woman at his flat in Bradford when she contacted him after being brought up in care, the city's Crown Court heard today.

He pleaded guilty to five offences of incest when his daughter was over 18.

The man, who cannot be named to protect his daughter's identity, turned to drink after matters came to light and people in his local community found out, his solicitor advocate, Ray Singh, said.

"Nothing I can say in mitigation is going to make it any better than it is," Mr Singh told the court.

"He is very remorseful and thoroughly embarrassed and ashamed."

Prosecutor Matthew Bean said the woman was taken into care and adopted when she was a little girl.

She had no contact with her father until she got in touch with him when she became an adult.

He then began having regular sex with her at his flat in Bradford.

Mr Bean said the pair had consensual sexual intercourse for four years until the woman's boyfriend alerted the police.

The man was arrested and made full admissions.

He said he wanted to tell someone about what was going on but his daughter threatened to kill herself if anyone else found out.

"One can understand the distress and turmoil of the complainant," Mr Singh said.

The court heard that the man had since turned to drink and was now an alcoholic.

His daughter was too distressed to finish her police interview and had not made a victim impact statement.

"She has found it difficult to talk about these issues," Mr Bean said.

Judge Colin Burn sentenced the man to six months imprisonment, suspended for 18 months, with a rehabilitation activity requirement of up to 60 days.

He told the defendant: "You don't need me to tell you how wrong your actions were.

"Most people, I think, would be offended and appalled to read of what you were doing, having sexual intercourse with your daughter."

Judge Burn said the teenager had looked to her father for parental guidance and his wholly inappropriate behaviour had irreparably damaged their relationship.

"She has been left with guilt, distress and depression," he said.

Addressing the man, the judge added: "The community knows about it, and you knew it was wrong at the time. You feel guilt and remorse for doing nothing to stop it."

Judge Burn said the probation service would address the man's heavy drinking and his attitude towards his offending.

He must also register with the police as a sex offender for seven years.