Whiting is serving life for murdering Sarah Payne

Paedophile Roy Whiting - who was jailed for life for murdering Sarah Payne - has been attacked in jail by a fellow inmate.

Whiting, 43, is believed to have suffered facial injuries in the knife attack on Sunday night at Wakefield prison in West Yorkshire. He was treated at a nearby hospital but later discharged and returned to jail following treatment.

Whiting was convicted of the kidnap and murder of eight-year-old Sarah Payne from West Sussex in 2001. Girl's death "A prisoner from Wakefield was taken to hospital following an alleged assault," said a Prison Service spokeswoman.

"The incident has been referred to the police. We cannot comment any further at this stage," Sarah went missing on 1 July 2000 after playing near her grandparents' home in Kingston Gorse, West Sussex. Her body was found 16 days later.

Whiting was found guilty of her murder following a four week trial.