Rapist has 18-year sentence cut

File photo / NZ Herald

A Waikato man who sexually abused his daughter and stepdaughter has lost an appeal against his convictions but had his sentence of 18 years jail cut by a year.

The man was found guilty of raping and injuring his stepdaughter and indecently assaulting his daughter after he mistook her for his stepdaughter after the pair swapped beds.

His grounds for appeal against conviction was that he was not given a fair trial.

He also appealed his sentence saying a sentence of 18 years for rape was "manifestly excessive".

The Court of Appeal dismissed his appeal against conviction but reduced his 18-year jail sentence to 17 years and the non-parole period to nine from 10 years.

Police began investigating the man in April 2008 after his estranged wife forced down the door of his bedroom and found him in bed with his stepdaughter.

- NZPA