Soldier Charged Rapes Six Year Old

In Austria a British soldier has been charged with raping a six-year-old girl after breaking into her house.
He allegedly attacked her after he had been drinking while on a week's ski training last November.

The girl's father was woken by the noise at his home in Neustift and went to her bedroom to investigate.

According to media reports, he restrained the half-naked soldier and called police, who took him into custody.

The 30-year-old, who has not been named, is a member of the 7th Parachute Regiment Royal Horse Artillery.

He is due to appear in court in the state capital of Innsbruck, Hansjörg Mayr, on 10 March, charged with rape and aggravated sexual assault.

If convicted, he faces up to 15 years in prison. 

An Army spokesman said: "The Army is aware that a soldier has been charged in Austria following allegations of child sexual offences.

"This matter is now subject to criminal proceedings led by the Austrian authorities and it is therefore inappropriate for us to comment further at this time." 

The Foreign Office confirmed it was aware of the arrest of a British national on November 29.

A spokesman added: "We are providing consular assistance."

Neustift is a small town in the Stubaital valley, an area of ski resorts south of Innsbruck.