Michael Thomassie was jailed for life with no parole for raping his ex-girlfriend's daughter, who was aged between seven and nine at the time

A police officer who raped his ex-girlfriend's young daughter and took selfies and sent racy text messages in court has been jailed for life with no parole.

Michael Thomassie, 41, raped the girl in 2003, when she was between the ages of seven and nine.

The 13-year veteran New Orleans cop had messaged witnesses during the trial, as well as texting flirtatious messages to his current girlfriend.

Thomassie sent selfies to the woman during jury selection for his trial, asking if he should shave off his goatee.

The pair then exchanged flirty texts about whether Thomassie also preferred women to be 'clean-shaven'.

Prosecutor Laura Rodrigue said: ‘He responds, “no hair is best”, hours before sitting in court for trial for the aggravated rape of a seven or eight-year-old girl.’

He sent the messages while awaiting testimony from the girl he raped.

Thomassie knew the girl through her mother, who was a drug addict and depended on him for money.

The police officer also contacted witnesses and sent texts expressing his hope his victim would not appear in court.

Ms Rodrigue said: ‘We learned from a family member that he text messaged, “it’s not too late for [the accuser] not to show up,” that the state will have to drop the charges.

‘He tells another witness the “key points” she should testify to. This is a rare instance where we are extremely disappointed with someone who has the privilege to be a New Orleans police officer.

‘But our disappointment was doubled yesterday when we see text messages from a fellow NOPD officer saying “the best-case scenario is for [the girl] not to come forward and the state would have to drop the case”.

The 13-year veteran New Orleans cop had messaged witnesses during the trial, as well as texting flirtatious messages to a current girlfriend (file picture)

His victim came forward in 2013, with Thomassie pleading not guilty in March 2014 and being freed after posting a $150,000 bond.

He was found guilty of aggravated rape in August and jailed for life yesterday.

New Orleans Police, who had previously suspended Thomassie, is now in the process of firing him.

There was further drama in court as a fellow defendant awaiting trial shouted abuse at Thomassie in the courtroom.

According to the The Times-Picayune, Erik Beasley, who was due to go on trial for an unrelated charge of home invasion, shouted: 'Put him in a cell with me. I'll turn him over and make him a mop.'