A FATHER serving a three-year jail term for sexually abusing his teenage daughter was released yesterday because his family needs him.
His wife clapped her hands in delight and called out 'thank you' to the judges when they ordered the 51-year-old be freed.
The victim, now 18, was also present in court with her two sisters and brother.
Their mother said: 'This is the best New Year present we could have had. Our family will be together again.' The father began molesting his daughter when she was 13 and the abuse continued for more than two years.
But the family were devastated when he was jailed last March, the Court of Appeal heard.
Duncan Percy, for the father, said the victim had pleaded with the District Court judge to be lenient.