A SOLDIER from Colchester has been charged with raping a six-year-old girl while on exercise in Austria.
It is alleged a member of the town’s 7th Parachute Regiment Royal Horse Artillery broke into a home and sexually abused the girl.
It is claimed the girl's father found him after being woken by the noise and beat him before calling police.
He was arrested in Tyrol on November 29.
7 Para RHA had been on exercise carrying out mountain training in the region but is normally based at Colchester Garrison as part of 16 Air Assault Brigade.
He is due to appear in court on Tuesday, March 10, on charges of rape and sexual assault.
State prosecutors claim he entered the unlocked home in the early hours of the morning while drunk and entered the girl's bedroom.
An Army spokesman said: "The Army is aware that a soldier has been charged in Austria following allegations of child sexual offences.
"This matter is now subject to criminal proceedings, led by the Austrian authorities, and it is therefore inappropriate for us to comment further at this time.”
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