Whiting is serving life for murdering Sarah Payne

The paedophile who murdered schoolgirl Sarah Payne has been knifed by a fellow inmate in jail.

Roy Whiting, 43, is believed to have suffered facial injuries in last night's attack at Wakefield prison in West Yorkshire. He was taken to nearby Pinderfields Hospital but was discharged a few hours later after treatment.

"A prisoner from Wakefield was taken to hospital last night 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."

Prison sources said a knife was used in the attack on Whiting, who already had a conviction for child abduction when he snatched eight-year-old Sarah from near her grandparents' home in Kingston Gorse, West Sussex, in July 2000.

He was jailed for life last year for her murder.