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

Sick Mark Kelly, 32, bribed the child with M&Ms to entice her to carry out sex acts on him and told her she would be taken from her family if anyone found out.

But the brave youngster plucked up the courage to tell her mum about the sickening abuse , which took place at his army base in Wiltshire.

Kelly, who was in the 10th Signals Regiment and served for 13 years, pleaded not guilty to two counts of rape and two of inciting a child to engage in sexual activity.

At a trial last year jurors failed to reach a verdict, but he was convicted of all four charges following a retrial at Swindon Crown Court .

The defendant showed no sign of emotion as the verdicts were returned, nor when he was handed the lengthy jail term.

Giles Nelson, prosecuting, said the family of the girl was devastated by what happened 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.

(Image: BPM Media)

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.

(Image: PA)

Speaking 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."