THE Attorney General may seek an increase in the sentence given to sex beast Kevin Hazelwood.

Lord Goldsmith has asked to see the case papers to decide whether the indefinite jail term was unduly lenient.

Hazelwood, who repeatedly raped and abused a girl of six despite being under probation supervision, could be up for parole after five years and seven months.

Lewes Crown Court judge Richard Hayward warned he was unlikely to be released after that time but Lord Goldsmith wants to ensure Hazelwood's punishment fits his crimes.

The Attorney General has 28 days to decide whether to send the case to the Court of Appeal, which has the power to increase the tariff to the maximum, life imprisonment.

Hazelwood, 40, was on the Sex Offenders' Register for downloading child porn when he committed his offences. He pleaded guilty to six counts of rape, two of attempted rape and two of indecent assault, all on the same victim.

Hazelwood, of Oriental Place, Brighton, also admitted sexual activity with or in the presence of a child under 13, assaults on a girl dating back to the Eighties and making indecent films of children.

Hazelwood told probation officers he was a paedophile and had abused another young girl in the Eighties. Nothing was done and he was free to rape the girl, now nine, for at least another year until she told her mother last year.

Sussex Police and Sussex Probation Service are investigating why his confession was not acted on.

Sussex Police declined to say how closely he was monitored - they want to keep paedophiles guessing as to how frequently they will be checked - but Detective Superintendent Russ Whitfield said visits were in line with national guidelines.

High-risk offenders are checked more regularly than those considered low risk.