A SOLDIER who repeatedly raped a six-year-old girl has been jailed for 19 years.

Mark Kelly bribed the child with chocolate sweets to get her to carry out sex acts on him when he was based in Lyneham.

And he also told her that she would be taken away from her family if she told anyone about what had happened as he abused her in 2014.

But the brave youngster plucked up the courage to tell her mum about what he was doing and a jury believed her, finding the 32-year-old guilty.

Kelly, who was in the 10th Signals Regiment, pleaded not guilty to two counts of rape and two of inciting a child to engage in sexual activity.

At a first trial last year another jury failed to reach verdicts, but he was convicted of all four charges following a retrial at Swindon Crown Court last week.

And the defendant showed no signs of emotion both as the verdicts were returned and when the judge was handing down the lengthy jail term.

The court heard he abused the girl when she visited his home in Lyneham and also when he was allowed to take in his car to a cash machine in Royal Wootton Bassett.

He offered her M&Ms, her favourite sweet, and told the vulnerable youngster she would be taken from her family if anyone found out.

But she told about what had taken place and, despite his denials he showed no emotions as a jury found his guilty of the sickening abuse.

Giles Nelson, prosecuting, said the family of the girl was devastated by what had happened to the girl at the hands of the defendant.

A victim statement from the mother said: "I feel sick to the stomach about what he has done to my child and that will be with me to the day I die."

Ed Burgess, defending, said his client, who gave the court an address in Bexley, Kent, had an exemplary army record having served for 13 years.

Jailing him Judge Tim Mousley QC said: "You took the opportunity to abuse her in a vile and depraved way, and perverted way, that the jury has heard about.

"Nobody could fail to notice as she gave her evidence her extreme innocence and you have taken that away from her.

"One can only speculate how she will be affected in the future by what you did.

"In addition you attempted to prevent her from telling anyone what was going on, from telling any other what you were doing to her.

"The impact on her will be numerous, incalculable and permanent."

As well as jailing him for 19 years he also imposed a sexual harm prevention order which will affect his liberties when he is released.

After sentencing, Detective Constable Tanya Jarvis said:  "Kelly has received a fitting sentence for his despicable crimes.

"This man preyed on a young child and made that victim believe there would be serious consequences if they spoke of the abuse.

"But despite his threats, that young girl had the immense strength and courage to tell her mother and, in turn, came forward to help put this predator behind bars.

"I would like to thank her, for her bravery, and also her family for their help and the strength they have shown throughout this case. 

"I hope this sentence will give them some peace of mind and, as difficult as this might be, give them the opportunity to move on from this point.

“Today's result has been the culmination of a thorough, detailed investigation and the outcome reflects that.

“This case highlights how seriously Wiltshire Police and the CPS take the crimes of sexual abuse; we will take every action available to bring offenders to justice.

“Wiltshire Police encourage all victims of abuse to report it; if not to the police, tell a trusted friend, member of the family, teacher or GP. Or contact the Swindon Assault Referral Centre (SARC) on their 24 hour helpline 0808 168 0024. This centre is available to support victims across Wiltshire.”