Tri-Service

Soldier Sentenced For Sex With Underage Cadet

A British Army soldier has been given a suspended prison sentence after having sex with a 15-year-old schoolgirl cadet who he first met while on duty.

While on leave Private Jack Burnett, 19, arranged a camping trip in South Wales with the teenager.

Burnett, who now faces being thrown out of the First Battalion Royal Welsh Regiment, twice had sex with the underage girl while sharing a tent with her.

He was subsequently arrested at Lucknow Barracks in Tidworth, Wiltshire after his victim told first her parents and then the police what had happened.

The soldier admitted the offence but insisted the girl had instigated it by scratching his back and kissing his neck.

During proceedings the court heard how Private Burnett also confessed to having previously had underage sex with a girl who he now shared a child with.

Judge Geraint Walters said: "Everyone knows having sex with a child under 16 years is plainly wrong."

"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 willfully crossed it. The wickedness of what you did was have sex with her when you knew she was a child."

"You are now also the father of a young daughter only few weeks old, a child you fathered with a 15-year-old girl. You've never faced any proceedings about that because there's never been a complaint. Despite the fact you are in the armed forces there's something very naive and immature about you."

Sitting at Newport Crown Court Judge Walters went on to hand Burnett a eight months sentence suspended for two years. The soldier, who now faces an uncertain future in the military, was also ordered to sign the sex offender's register for 10 years.

Responding to the sentencing a British Army spokesperson said: "All those who are found to fall short of the Army's high standards or who are found to have committed an offence under the Armed Forces Act are dealt with administratively up to and including dismissal or through the disciplinary process, as applicable."