Disgusting and degrading: The life and death of 'New Zealand's Fritzl' - horrendous sex offender Ronald Van Der Plaat

In 2000 Ronald Van Der Plaat became one of the country’s most infamous sex offenders when he was jailed for a litany of horrific abuse against his daughter spanning 23 years. He started raping, sexually violating and indecently assaulting his daughter Tanjas when she was just 9 when the family were living in Vanuatu. For the next 23 years, he would keep her as a sex slave, subjecting her to “bizarre and depraved” abuse which only ended when she became pregnant to him - not for the first time - and suffered a miscarriage. Van Der Plaat would use handcuffs, chains and clamps on Tanjas during sadistic sex sessions. He would ply her with alcohol and sedatives before sex - once resulting in an overdose that left her with a permanent heart problem. In the latest episode of Herald podcast A Moment In Crime journalist Anna Leask looks back at the ghastly offending. The episode also features first-hand accounts of the abuse from Tanjas, from her book Flight of the Dancing Bird which she released after her father was imprisoned.  This episode contains references to physical and sexual abuse - and child abuse. It is suitable for a mature audience and may be upsetting.  The episode also contains brief extracts from the book Flight Of The Dancing Bird, published by Tanjas Darke published in 2001 by HarperCollins. The book is available at local libraries and can be purchased online.  READ MORE: 'Cruel, degrading' sex offender back in court: But released from charge due to dementia Sadistic, depraved, cruel: Ronald Van Der Plaat's litany of 'bizarre' sexual abuse Ronald Van Der Plaat, the man who raped and enslaved his daughter, to be released from prison SEXUAL HARM - WHERE TO GET HELPIf it's an emergency and you feel that you or someone else is at risk, call 111. If you've ever experienced sexual assault or abuse and need to talk to someone, contact Safe to Talk confidentially, any time 24/7: • Call 0800 044 334• Text 4334• Email [email protected]• For more info or to web chat visit safetotalk.nz Alternatively contact your local police station - click here for a list. If you have been sexually assaulted, remember it's not your fault.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.