A SEX offender who repeatedly abused a young girl and walked free from court is having his sentence appealed because prosecutors believe it is “unduly lenient”.

Antonio Lawrie, an ex-apprentice at Hedge End based sports firm My Coaching, sexually abused a seven-year-old numerous times and was given a two-year suspended prison term during a sentencing hearing at Southampton Crown Court in June.

Furious family members of the victim said the 22-year-old should have been sent to prison for his “disgusting” behaviour after Lawrie was found guilty of assaulting the child at least 16 times during a six-month reign of abuse.

And now, the Crown Prosecution Service will take his case to the Court of Appeal in London to try and get his sentence increased.

A spokesperson for CPS Wessex said it appealing on the ground the sentence was “unduly lenient”.

It will be heard on September 18, after last week’s hearing was postponed due to a lack of court time.

Lawrie denied all seven counts of assault by sexual touching, none of which happened in his coaching role, but a jury delivered guilty verdicts following his trial.

Due to his “complex” learning difficulties, Judge Gary Burrell QC ruled it would unjust to sent him directly to prison because he “would be taken advantage of physically and mentally”.

Jon Swain, mitigating, said: “Certain sections of society will say he must be punished and locked up with the key thrown away.

“But they are not aware or have the knowledge of what his needs are. They know nothing about his life but make up opinions of what he has done.”

Following the sentencing, the victim’s stepdad said her abuser should have been jailed for at least seven years – one year for each offence – or sent to a secure mental hospital.

“At least he would be locked away,” he said.

“Lawrie been given a two-year suspended sentence when he should have gone straight to prison.

“One of the worst things about the whole business is that he showed no remorse, he just sat there grinning. He thought he’d got away with it - and he has.

“Lawrie has hurt my family and I’m appalled that he’s been allowed to walk free from court.”

Lawrie worked for My Coaching, which delivers further education programmes for young adults aged between 15 and 19, between September 2015 and June 2017.

James Welsh, managing director of the company, said Lawrie was then sacked.