Paedophile jailed indefinitely for rape of girl, 9

LONDON, Apr 20 (Reuters) A known paedophile who repeatedly raped a nine-year-old girl despite being under community supervision for previous offences was jailed indefinitely at Lewes Crown Court today.

The case of Kevin Hazelwood came as the government announced plans to tighten the supervision of violent criminals who had been released back into the community following a spate of high-profile murders by people on probation.

Hazelwood will serve a minimum of five years and seven months. He had pleaded guilty to six counts of rape, two of attempted rape and two of indecent assault on the same victim.

Local media reported the 40-year-old from Brighton had been a friend of the girl's family. A police spokeswoman said the attacks had begun when the girl was six and that they were notified after she eventually told her mother what was happening.

Hazelwood had previously been convicted of downloading images of child abuse.

Nick Smart of the Sussex Probation Service told reporters at court that only a tiny proportion of offenders, ''around a half of one per cent'' went on to reoffend and said the case had been reviewed.

''Hazelwood was being supervised and managed under the multi-agency public protection arrangements (MPPAs), having been convicted of offences of downloading images of child abuse,'' Smart said.

''He had no previous convictions of any sexual offence. It is very rare for offenders managed under MAPPA to be convicted of any further offence.'' Home Secretary Charles Clarke announced plans to improve the supervision of known offenders after several high profile murders including the brutal killing of Mary-Ann Leneghan by six men including four who were on probation.

The problem of proper supervision was also highlighted by the 2004 London murder of financier John Monckton who was stabbed to death by a man released from prison early.

REUTERS SHB KP1822