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.