18 YEARS IN A SHED; BACK FROM THE DEAD THE BACKYARD PRISON.

Byline: RYAN PARRY

JAYCEE Lee Dugard spent her 18 years in captivity in primitive sheds and tents just yards away from neighbours.

Evil Phillip Garrido and wife Nancy imprisoned the youngster in a secret section of their backyard.

Jaycee endured part of her ordeal locked in a 10ft by 10ft tarpaulin-covered shack that opened only from outside. It was soundproofed to prevent neighbours hearing her cries.

One, Erika Pratt, spotted the secret 140ft by 90ft compound after peering over the fence three years ago. But police did nothing.

Erika said she was "freaked out" by Garrido and added: "He had little girls and women living in that backyard and they all looked kind of the same. They never talked and kept to themselves. When I called police they told me they couldn't go inside because they didn't have a warrant. They told me they would keep an eye on him."

Last night El Dorado County Sheriff Warren Rupf apologised for his officers' lack of action.

He also admitted Garrido should not have been freed on parole in 1988 just 11 years into a 50-YEAR term for rape.

Sheriff Rupf said: "We missed an opportunity to bring earlier closure to this situation. We should have been more curious and turned over a rock or two.

"I'm first in line to offer my apologies and accept responsibility. This animal was sentenced to 50 years in prison and if he'd served that sentence he'd still be in custody."

The two daughters that Garrido fathered with Jaycee were born in the filthy compound in Antioch, California, with no medical help.

The kids, now 11 and 15, grew up knowing nothing but the cramped, squalid living quarters that included a second shed and two small tents. All three had to use a basic shower and outside toilet.

Although electricity was supplied by cables from the main house, there was no TV.

Garrido boasted to one resident that he had schooled the girls at home and they did not swear or watch TV.

Another neighbour, Diane Doty, said she had suspected kids were being kept there but her husband talked her out of raising the alarm.

She said: "I asked my husband, 'Why is he living in tents?' He said, 'Maybe that is how they like to live'."

Haydee Perry, 35, who lived next door, said Garrido helped her start her car a month ago and had a young girl clinging to him oddly.

The girl said Garrido was her dad and she had older sisters, including one who was 28 - a year younger than Jaycee is now.

Haydee said: "She stayed close to him at all times. It wasn't normal. She had a blank stare. Now it seems like a cry for help."

Police who raided the compound this week found evidence that children had been trapped there for years. It held a trampoline, a teddy bear, a set of swings and a yellow slide. There was also a basketball hoop, a baby bouncer and a child's tricycle.

Garrido went to great lengths to keep the area from prying eyes. Tall trees and a 6ft fence partially hid it from neighbours.

His house, garage and trees ensured it could not be seen from the street.

A white picket fence and treelined lawn lent the home an air of normality in chilling contrast to the horrors it hid for 18 years.

Sheriff Fred Kollar, speaking after Jaycee was found, said: "You could walk through the house and never know there was another set of living circumstances."

Mr Kollar added: "There was no attempt by Jaycee to reach out to anyone in all the time she was held captive."

Garrido is said to have conducted bizarre religious rites in his backyard and also wrote a web blog full of religious rants.

Tim Allen, who innocuously bought products from his printing business, said: "He was just kind of nutty.

"In the last couple of years he started getting into this strange religious stuff. It made no sense. We felt sorry for him."

The pervert received his 50-year jail term in 1977 for a sex attack in which he kidnapped and tied up a woman.

Secluded, blocked-off backyard area measures 140ft long and 90ft wide

Trees and shrubs shield compound from view

Electricity supplied by extension leads from the house. The girls had no TV

Soundproofed shed covered with tarpaulin can only be opened from the outside

Basic shower

6ft high fence

Neighbour's backyard

Chemical toilet 

CAPTION(S):

SNATCHED Jaycee FIND Suspect car found in garden OUT OF SIGHT The network of sheds and tents were kept hidden from the street by tall trees