“My view is simple on this. We need to get to the bottom of how this happened and we need to ensure those who have failed him are accountable.

“But, also anyone reflecting on those sentences yesterday who think they were too lenient: my intention is to try to refer this to the unduly lenient sentencing scheme as soon as possible.”

The Unduly Lenient Sentence Scheme requires the case to be reported to the Attorney General’s Office (AGO) within 28 days of the prison sentence being imposed.

A spokesperson for the AGO said: “The Attorney General’s thoughts are with those who loved Arthur. I can confirm that the sentences given to Emma Tustin and Thomas Hughes have been referred to the Attorney General for review to determine whether they were too low.”

Once referred to the Court of Appeal, the judges can increase the original sentence if it is too low, keep it the same or decide to refuse to hear the case.

Wendy Thorogood, the director of the Association of Child Protection Professionals, said Arthur should have been the top priority for local social services.

However, due to lockdown and the closure of schools, there may have been fewer chances for the authorities to identify him as being at risk.

“I can’t comment on what they actually witnessed, but you have to remember he was at the hands of quite cruel people who could manipulate him, his environment and professionals,” she told Times Radio.

“We have to remember this was under Covid, so he wasn’t actually getting additional oversight from school and education.”