French President Nicolas Sarkozy has vowed tougher treatment for sex offenders following a scandal over a convicted paedophile suspected of raping a 5-year-old boy shortly after his release from prison, Euronews reported.

"We cannot leave free predators, sick people, people who can kill and destroy children's lives," Sarkozy told reporters after meeting the boy's father and grandfather at the presidential Elysee Palace.

"A prisoner like Mr Evrard will not be able to leave prison solely because he has served his sentence," Sarkozy said.

"Prisoners of this type, at the end of their sentence, will be examined by a panel of doctors, and if this college of doctors recognizes that they are dangerous, they will not be released. They will go to a closed hospital, where they will be treated," Sarkozy added.

Sarkozy's proposals would mean offenders would have to accept hormonal therapy before being released, even at the end of their sentence.

Sarkozy announced that the first "closed hospital" for paedophiles will be inaugurated in 2009 in Lyon. The mayor of the town and Socialist Senator GГ©rard Collomb did not hide his surprise with the announcement, saying that it was "too hastily made".

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