But at a Parole Board hearing last month, the man now accepted he was the one at fault.
Despite the prisoner having more than seven months of his sentence remaining, panel convener Judge David Mather said his risk could be managed in the community.
Parole was granted and the defendant was released last week.
While the man had no previous sex convictions, he had a significant criminal history, the board heard.
It was revealed for the first time that he was convicted of manslaughter in Australia and served five years' imprisonment there.
The defendant was assessed as a low-moderate risk of reoffending.
At sentencing, the court heard the victim became pregnant twice within six months, though only one of the pregnancies could definitively be attributed to her father.
The sexual abuse began shortly after the victim moved back home in April 2017, court documents showed.
Over the next seven months, the incest happened as often as once a week.
The acts would be committed in secluded areas of North Otago, the victim said, and once occurred at a Dunedin motel.
The Parole Board heard the man was still regularly in contact with three of his children, though they had not visited him during his incarceration.
"He has had no contact with the daughter who was the victim of his offending, and accepts that no contact with her is appropriate in any way," Judge Mather said.
While the location of the prisoner's release was withheld, the board expressed some concern about his lack of support there.
He would need the close attention of his probation officer, Judge Mather said.
His conditions of release included:
• To live at an address approved by Probation.
• To comply with the tenancy rules at the accommodation.
• To inform Probation of changes in employment.
• Not to possess alcohol or non-prescription drugs.
• To attend a psychological assessment and any treatment following.
• Not to contact victims of offending.
• Not to leave defined area as specified by Probation.
• To attend a reintegration meeting.
• To inform Probation of any intimate relationships.
If you're in danger now:
• Phone the police on 111 or ask neighbours of friends to ring for you.
• Run outside and head for where there are other people.
• Scream for help so that your neighbours can hear you.
• Take the children with you.
• Don't stop to get anything else.
• If you are being abused, remember it's not your fault. Violence is never okay
Where to go for help or more information:
• Women's Refuge: Free national crisis line operates 24/7 - 0800 refuge or 0800 733 843 www.womensrefuge.org.nz
• Shine, free national helpline 9am- 11pm every day - 0508 744 633 www.2shine.org.nz
• It's Not Ok: Information line 0800 456 450 www.areyouok.org.nz
• Shakti: Providing specialist cultural services for African, Asian and middle eastern women and their children. Crisis line 24/7 0800 742 584
• Ministry of Justice: www.justice.govt.nz/family-justice/domestic-violence
• National Network of Stopping Violence: www.nnsvs.org.nz
• White Ribbon: Aiming to eliminate men's violence towards women, focusing this year on sexual violence and the issue of consent. www.whiteribbon.org.nz
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