An MP today urged Attorney General Lord Goldsmith to appeal against a "pathetically lenient" sentence handed to a window cleaner who raped a 10-year-old girl.

Tory backbencher Mike Penning said the Attorney General should call in the court papers from the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) after Keith Fenn, 25, of Starwort Path, Blackbird Leys, was given concurrent two-year and 18-month jail sentences at Oxford Crown Court by Judge Julian Hall for two attacks on the girl in a park.

Because of the amount of time he has already spent in prison awaiting sentence, Fenn could be free in a few months time.

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Hemel Hempstead MP Mr Penning said: "This sends out all the wrong signals to paedophiles. This young lady is in care and doesn't have parents who can stand up for her, so what better job could an MP do?"

Mr Penning said in a letter to the CPS: "As I am sure you are aware, last week Judge Julian Hall QC sentenced Keith Fenn to what has been described as a pathetically lenient sentence for the rape of a 10-year-old child.

"Fenn will serve only four months, when the judge could have used his powers to give a much more severe sentence.

"I am appalled at the leniency of this sentence; frankly a sentence this lenient for such a serious crime makes a mockery of the legal system and I call on you to use your powers and appeal against this indulgent ruling.

"What sort of deterrent is this to those who wish to physically abuse our children?

"This child is in care and thus has no parents to support her who can call on you to call in the court papers from the CPS and so, do all you can to get justice for this little girl.