Cellar monster Fritzl demands to be allowed out from his 'dungeon'

Dungeon incest monster Josef Fritzl has been given permission to take walks outside - because he could no longer stand being cooped up in his cell.

Fritzl, who kept his daughter locked up for 24 years without even a window, has a view from his cell and a roommate.

But after just over two months inside, he told prison officials he was going stir crazy.

Despite his fear of being attacked by fellow prisoners who routinely target child sex offenders he has now made his first trip into the fresh air.

Fritzl even told prison guards he enjoyed having the sun on his face during his two half-hour walks.

Until now Fritzl - who imprisoned and raped his daughter Elisabeth for 24 years - has cowered in his cell at St Poelten, Austria, fearing attacks from other inmates.

But now Fritzl, 73, has demanded his right to a 30-minute exercise period every day.

Prison spokesman Lieutenant Colonel Erich Huber-Guensthofer said: 'Mr Fritzl is accommodated in a cell for two and recently he has made use of his right to go outside for half an hour per day.'

A prison source revealed that Fritzl usually sits in his cell watching television all day - especially news programmes about him.

He added: "Fritzl is terrified that someone will attack him or try to kill him." 

At night fellow inmates bang on the walls and shout: "Come on out Satan, we want to play." 

The news comes as it was revealed that  Elisabeth Fritzl has started giving a statement about her ordeal in the cellar.

The testimony was supposed to have been taken last month but was put on hold after psychologists warned that Elisabeth was not yet ready to be made to relive her ordeal underground.

Victim: Elisabeth to give evidence via video link

A provisional date had been set for later this month but the judge in the case started taking the statement earlier after Elisabeth's health improved and she said she was ready to talk.

The questioning will also continue next week.

Under Austrian law, Elisabeth is being questioned by the investigative judge Christoph Bauer, and not the trial judge Andrea Humer.

The contents of the questioning will not be made public.

Josef Fritzl's lawyer Rudolf Mayer is also allowed to ask questions, but his client - who is entitled to be present to listen to Elisabeth giving her statements and also ask questions to the judge - has waived his right to be there.

By inviting Fritzl's lawyer to take part, it means that Elisabeth has the option of not attending the court.

Prosecutor Gerhard Sedlacek said: "She has not yet indicated whether she wishes to take up the opportunity sailing away from the trial or not. That is a decision to later." 

The interviews are taking place in the same building via a video link up. Elisabeth was in one room with the judge and her lawyer Eva Plaz, and state prosecutor Christiane Burkheiser and defence lawyer Mayer were in the other room.

Basement room where Elisabeth was held captive for 24 years