A MAN who subjected his family to a "reign of terror" - by sexually abusing his children and beating up his wife - has won a reduction in his jail sentence because of his poor health.

The Newcastle man, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was jailed for 14 years at Newcastle Crown Court last year after pleading guilty to two counts of assault occasioning actual bodily harm on his wife, and five sex counts relating to his children, including rape.

After being told he was a "very ill man", London's Criminal Appeal Court cut his sentence to 11 years.

Mr Justice Eady, sitting with Lord Justice Latham and Mr Justice Gage, said the state of the man's health had a bearing on an assessment of whether he was at risk of re-offending.

He said the impact of prison on a man with his disabilities was clearly greater than on an able-bodied inmate.

The sentencing judge had referred to the "reign of terror" imposed on the man's wife and children which led to grave psychological impact on them.

In arguing the total sentence was excessive, the man's barrister, Katherine Dunn, said he was "very ill", had expressed remorse and revealed the "hate he has for himself".