TWO police officers who left a 12-year-old girl in the clutches of a rapist until she was rescued by her father have kept their jobs.

The inspector and sergeant escaped with a demotion after they admitted neglect of duty before a disciplinary hearing at Cleveland Police headquarters, in Middlesbrough.

Yesterday, the angry parents of the girl, who cannot he named, said the officers should he dismissed.

The victim's father smashed his way into the flat where the youngster had been taken and rescued his daughter.

Rapist Michael Woodhouse, 37, was caught days after the attack on his young victim, who he had plied with drink and drugs, in January, 1999. He was jailed for 13 years.

Judge Michael Taylor said: "While one may understand the reluctance of two junior constables at the outset, it is a matter of grave concern to the general public that, when senior officers were involved, still nothing was done and it was some two-and-a-quarter hours after the matter was reported to the police that the father himself broke into the property."

After the trial, the girl's father made a complaint to police chiefs, which was supported by the Police Complaints Authority (PCA).

The authority originally recommended that the two officers should face seven disciplinary charges, which was later reduced to one charge each.

The PCA found evidence that the officers, who have not been identified, had failed to take positive action and use their powers to rescue the girl.

Her father said yesterday: "I do believe these officers should have been dismissed. I am particularly angry that, nearly three years on, we are still waiting for an apology from Cleveland Police."

A Cleveland Police spokesman confirmed an hearing had taken place.

He said: "An inspector and a sergeant have appeared before a disciplinary hearing presided over by the Chief Constable, Barry Shaw.

"Both officers pleaded guilty to an offence of neglect of duty.