Austrian incest father sentenced to life in jail

An Austrian jury convicted Josef Fritzl of homicide, enslavement, incest, rape and other charges yesterday and sentenced him to life in a psychiatric ward for holding his daughter captive for 24 years and fathering her seven children.

Fritzl, 73, sat calmly and bowed his head as the verdicts were read. He later told the court he accepted the outcome and waived his right to appeal - bringing a dramatic end to a shocking case that has drawn worldwide attention.

Court spokesman Franz Cutka said Fritzl would be taken to a secure psychiatric ward for mentally deranged criminals.