THE Attorney General is to look into the case of the convicted paedophile who has asked for pictures of his victim back.

Yesterday the Echo revealed how the offender – jailed for nine years in December for sexual offences against his young stepdaughter – is seeking the return of family photos on his laptop and mobile phone.

The images are not indecent and did not form part of the inquiry so Dorset Police say they must hand them back when the 58-year-old leaves prison.

Now Tobias Ellwood, Bourne-mouth East MP, has contacted Dominic Grieve to raise the issue and the law officer has pledged to investigate.

Mr Ellwood phoned the Attorney General direct after seeing the Echo story.

“He feels, as I do, that this situation is totally wrong and completely unacceptable,” said Mr Ellwood.

“No victim of abuse should be put in this position.

“It makes no difference that these are family photos.

“They should not be returned to the abuser.

“This situation in no way helps the family begin to get some kind of closure, detach themselves from this individual and move on with their lives.”

Mr Ellwood said the Attorney General had requested a full report on the issue before deciding on any action.

He added: “This whole situation is simply wrong and it is quite understandable that there has been a huge outcry.”

Dorset’s Police Commissioner Martyn Underhill is also taking up the case, calling for a change in the law. He has launched a government e-petition.

And Liberty, who are representing the family, say they may take the issue to the High Court.

n To sign the petition go to epetitions.direct.gov.uk/ petitions/63590.

THE national charity Mosac, which supports parents and carers of abused children, has thrown its support behind calls for changes in the law.

A spokesman from the charity said: “We fully support changes in the law to help protect children.

“It is Mosac’s experience that many offenders will continue to attempt to control their victims and their families in any way they can, even after a conviction, so legislation needs to be consistently protective.”

The spokesman added: “There are currently a number of pieces of legislation that can cause our clients unreasonable distress, where various scenarios were either not considered at the outset, or there are conflicts of law.”