A SOLDIER who had sex with an underage girl faces being expelled from the Royal Welsh regiment.

Private Jack Burnett, aged 19, had sex with the schoolgirl weeks before her 16th birthday, despite already getting another teenage girl pregnant.

Newport Crown Court heard how the soldier - who was tipped for promotion by army chiefs - had arranged a camping trip with the underage girl while on home leave in Barry.

The court heard the two shared a tent together and, during the evening, the pair had sex twice.

The girl told her friends what happened days after the trip - and a week later she told her parents and police.

After police arrested him in his barracks, with the First Battalion Royal Welsh regiment at Tidworth, Wiltshire, he admitted having sex with the schoolgirl but claimed she had instigated it.

He later pleaded guilty to a charge of sexual activity with a girl under the age of 16.

A statement from the schoolgirl was read out in court where she described the effects the encounter has had on her. 

She said: “I’ve lost confidence in myself and I have flashbacks about it. I’ve even been close to self harming. 

“I’m scared of going out in case I see him.”

Adam Sharp, defending, said the soldier was “highly regarded” by army chiefs who wanted to see him promoted to a corporal. 

He also pointed to the fact the girl was “just days away” from turning 16 when Burnett had sex with her. 

Mr Sharp said: “He is currently a team medic, and if he is not given a custodial sentence, would have attained the rank of corporal. 

“His sentence and incarceration would cause him difficulties in the army. 

“He showed immaturity outside of his military career which meant he was attracted to those younger than himself.”

Judge Geraint Walters criticised claims about Burnett’s “maturity” and questioned how with his military discipline he could have acted so “uncouth”.   
Judge Walters said: “Everyone knows having sex with a child under 16 years is plainly wrong. Everyone knows it.

“Those that are older such as yourself are expected to understand there is a line across which you may not go. In this case you wilfully crossed it.

“The wickedness of what you did was have sex with her when you knew she was a child.

“Despite the fact you are in the armed forces there’s something very naive and immature about you.

“You’ve left her feeling a sense of hopelessness.”

urnett, formerly of Barry- but now of Lucknow Barracks in Tidworth- was given an eight month prison sentence, suspended for two years, and must register as a sex offender for 10 years. 

Army chiefs will now consider whether his conviction means he will have to leave the military.