A 56 year old farmer of Tailevu has been charged with five counts of incest and is in police custody.

Divisional Crime Officer Eastern ASP Arthur White has confirmed that the farmer allegedly fathered four children with his daughter who is now 38 years old.

The man allegedly committed the offence first in 1989 when the daughter was only 18 years old.

He also allegedly threatened his wife and other family members not to report the matter to anyone.

The daughter reported the matter to a relative who then took it up to police.

The 56 year old man will appear in the Nausori Magistrates court later today.