THE father of Leigh model Tracey Grainey who was raped and abused by her model agency boss boyfriend has spoken of his relief that the sex beast has been jailed for 20 years.

Former Leigh Rugby Club player and coach Tommy Grainey believes ex-policeman Peter Martin, 56, who subjected his daughter and other girls to a regime of sexual abuse should have been "caged for 40 years."

His daughter, who also faced sex charges, wept as she was cleared by the jury at Manchester Crown Court.

There was a series of gasps from the public gallery, in which several of Martin's victims sat, as the verdicts were returned.

The jury had heard that Tracey, now 30, suffered a catalogue of abuse from Martin soon after she joined his agency Model Team International, in central Manchester, as a 16 year-old.

Mr Grainey, said: "This has been a nightmare for two years.

"Martin should be caged for 40 years. Everyone in the family is very relieved for Tracey."

During the trial, the jury heard how Tracey changed from an innocent teenager besotted by Martin to running the agency in his absence and being forced into degrading sex acts with him, other men and girls.

Tracey, had tearfully told the jury: "He made it feel right. No matter what I said, he convinced me it was normal."

When she became pregnant Martin ordered her to be sterilised at 27. Other teenage girls lured to his model agency with promises of wealth and fame were raped, abused and even drugged by Martin.

Martin was found guilty of six rapes and five indecent assault charges after the jury deliberated for three days.

Judge Brian Carter told Martin that he had acted in a "disgusting, degrading and depraved way."

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