Child abusers should no longer be allowed to escape prosecution under the double jeopardy rule, says the victims’ commissioner.

Dame Vera Baird wants the law to be re-written so that paedophiles who have been acquitted of indecently assaulting children can be brought before the courts again if new evidence emerges.

It follows cases where sports coaches have been charged and acquitted but cannot be retried because the offences did not involve penetrative sex.

Less serious sexual assaults are not included in the list of offences where prosecutors can override double jeopardy - the rule barring the retrial of a defendant for an offence of which they have previously cleared by a court.

The changes to double jeopardy were introduced in 2003 by then Home Secretary David Blunkett to pave the way for the prosecution of the killers of Stephen Lawrence who had been acquitted. However, it was limited to only the most serious offences of murder, rape and arson.

In a letter to the new Justice Secretary, Dame Vera writes: “Sixteen years later, we now have a much better understanding of the terrible and long-term consequences of sexual offences committed against children.

“Our approach towards complaints and complainants is very different, as is the way in which we conduct investigations and gather evidence. Having consulted, I am proposing offences relating to non-penetrative sexual abuse of children be included.