An independent review was launched last night into the case of a rapist who fathered seven children with his two daughters.

An independent review was launched last night into the case of a rapist who fathered seven children with his two daughters.

The 56-year-old, who was yesterday sentenced to 25 life sentences, repeatedly raped his daughters, who between them had 19 pregnancies, over more than 25 years.

His crimes have been likened to those of the Austrian rapist Josef Fritzl who kept his daughter locked in a cellar for 24 years, fathering seven children by her.

Judge Alan Goldsack QC ordered the Sheffield man, who admitted 25 rapes and four indecent assaults but cannot be named for legal reasons, to serve 25 life sentences that will run concurrently, with a minimum tariff of 19-and-a-half years.

Sheffield City Council said last night that a serious case review had been launched.

In a statement after the sentencing at Sheffield Crown Court, the women said: "The suffering he has caused will continue for many years and we must now concentrate our thoughts on finding the strength to rebuild our lives."

The court heard that the father's campaign started when the women were between eight and 10. If they resisted they were badly beaten.

In court, Judge Goldsack said: ""I have little doubt that many members of the public will consider either you should never be released from prison or only when you are old and infirm. I agree with that view."

The defendant refused to attend yesterday's sentencing hearing, during which the court heard he had fathered five children by his younger daughter and two by his elder.

Two of the elder daughter's babies died the day they were born, the court heard. Between them his daughters suffered five miscarriages and five terminations and doctors advised them not to have any more children by the man they did not know then to be their father.

They often visited hospitals but despite this none of the doctors, nurses or social workers they saw launched an investigation in to why they kept getting pregnant, the court heard.

Judge Goldsack commented: "Questions will inevitably be asked about what professionals, social and medical workers, have been doing for the last 20 years."