JAYCEE Lee Dugard worked as a secretary for her alleged kidnapper in his "family business", it emerged today.

Customers of Phillip Garrido's print business knew her only as the "bright, well-educated" secretary -- and had no idea of her incredible background.

It emerged today that 29-year-old Jaycee, who lived in squalid conditions, regularly left her backyard home to go to work.

CUSTOMERS

Several former customers of religious fanatic Garrido have told how they would deal with a well-educated secretary, known to them as Alissa.

Others described the girl, who had no formal schooling since her kidnap at the age of 11, as the genius behind her abductor's business.

The revelation that Jaycee worked in Garrido's office is the latest shocking detail to emerge since the story of her years in captivity came to light last week.

She was bundled into a car while waiting for a school bus and spent 18 years living a shed compound, where she gave birth to two daughters.

Deepal Karunaratne, a Sri Lankan-born estate agent who employed Garrido to print his flyers and business cards, is reported to have met Ms Dugard and exchanged regular phone calls and emails with her.

And Ben Daughdrill, who used Garrido's Print for Less business for six years, described today how Jaycee came across "as very polite, very good natured".

He told reporters: "There was never any reason to think anything different -- [she was] just like another secretary at another office."

Another customer, Cheyvonne Molina, says that Jaycee's two girls attended a Sweet 16 birthday party for her own daughter. She said: "They were just your regular 15-year-old, your average 11-year-old."

Garrido and his wife have denied 29 charges, including rape and kidnap.

US police are also investigating whether Garrido can be linked to the murders of several prostitutes in the 1990s.

Meanwhile, the father of another kidnapped victim has urged Jaycee not to feel guilty about the bond she formed with her alleged captor.

SUFFERED

Ed Smart, whose daughter Elizabeth was 14 when she was kidnapped from her bedroom in Utah in the US in 2002, said there was a possibility that Ms Dugard had suffered from Stockholm Syndrome, a phenomenon where victims bond with their kidnappers.

His own daughter was missing for nine months and Mr Smart said that bonding is part of a survival tactic.

"I think it is so important for her, in order to move forward, to not feel guilty. We know that this person absolutely abducted her and it was not her choice -- this whole lifestyle has not been her choice," he said.

"She survived however, and I hope that people do not criticise her. Right now, she needs all the love and support she can possibly get."

- Kevin Doyle