A DETECTIVE is calling for a national register for people convicted of child cruelty after a father was jailed for abusing a daughter who later died.

Detective Chief Inspector Andy Reddick, who led the investigation into the death of County Durham baby Sarah Anne Butler, wants a scheme similar to the sex offenders' register.

He revealed his plans to write to Home Secretary David Blunkett to demand a loophole in the law is closed after seeing Steven Butler, jailed for 18 months. Butler, 30, admitted a single count of cruelty to a child when he appeared at Newcastle Crown Court, as reported in The Northern Echo on Saturday.

The charge related to broken ribs discovered after the death of four-week-old Sarah Anne at her home in Chester-le-Street, in November 2001.

Butler had denied four further counts of child cruelty, relating to Sarah Anne and three other children, at a previous hearing when the prosecution agreed to offer no evidence.

Det Chief Insp Reddick said: "There is no means of keeping tabs on people who assault or injure children on their release from prison, in the way a sex offender can be monitored.

"Although there is talk of some form of domestic violence register, I believe there should be something in place to monitor those who commit child cruelty.

"If he goes anywhere in the country on his release, he could form a new relationship with a woman who may already have children or he could father a child to a woman, and it's probable it won't come to light."

Det Chief Insp Reddick added: "There should be some way of monitoring people convicted of such offences so they have to give an address and their contact with children and young people can be controlled to an extent.

"In this case you can't do that and I'm going to highlight this to the Home Secretary.

"It's a massive loophole where people who are brutal to children can go out and commit other offences and have little control placed over them.

"My concern is when these people go back into society from prison."

Det Chief Insp Reddick is also writing up a file on the outcome of the case to be handed to North Durham coroner Andrew Tweddle, who will conclude inquest proceedings at a later date.