A suspended sentence given to a paedophile who admitted repeated activity with a child will be reviewed by the Attorney General.

Simeon Osen was convicted of four counts of sexual activity with a child, three counts of making indecent images of a child and two counts of possessing extreme pornography.

The 52-year-old, from Chigwell, was handed an eight-month suspended sentence at Harrow Crown Court on Monday.

The Sentencing Guidelines Council suggests a maximum penalty of 14 years in custody for an offence of sexual activity with a child.

It advises that a guilty plea at the earliest opportunity can reduce a sentence by a third and showing remorse can also go in the offender's favour.

The sentence has now been reported to the Attorney General, who will decide whether to refer the case to the Court of Appeal within 28 days.

Jon Brown, of the NSPCC, said: “A sentence such as this sends a poor message to child sex offenders.

“It is disheartening to victims of these horrific crimes.

“There has to be a concerted effort focusing on deterrence, treatment for victims and offenders as well as prevention. This sentence does not really help this aim.”