A father, identified as Detlef S, has gone on trial in Germany for sexually tormenting his daughter, step-daughter and step-son for more than 20 years.
The 48-year-old father faces 350 counts of sexual abuse as well as 35 other counts for forcing his daughters into prostitution.
The defendant admitted in a statement to fathering his 28-year-old step-daughter's seven children. An eighth child died shortly after childbirth.
DNA tests have already revealed he fathered his step-daughter's children.
He has denied sexually abusing the children for decades.
Detlef S is an unemployed truck driver from Rhineland village of Fluterschen.
During the trial Tuesday in the western city of Koblen, the judge read aloud a letter by his 18-year-old daughter. It stated that the father first raped her on her 12th birthday after her friends left the party.
"You made my life a living hell," she wrote.
He began raping his twin step-children when they were 4 years old, according to the indictment.
"Later, when his biological daughter, Janine [not her real name] turned 12, he started to rape her once a week, allegedly telling her initially that 'as a father I'm not supposed to do this.' When she was on her period, he would force her to give him oral sex," reported the Guardian.
The case has attracted much attention in Germany, and the father is being called “the German Josef Fritzl,” after the Austrian man who fathered eight children with his daughter locked in a cellar.
Detlef S faces up to 15 years in prison.
Follow GlobalPost on Twitter: @GlobalPost
There is no paywall on the story you just read because a community of dedicated listeners and readers have contributed to keep the global news you rely on free and accessible for all. Will you join the 319 donors who have supported The World so far? From now until Dec. 31, your gift will help us unlock a $67,000 match. Donate today to double your impact!