Ex-army sergeant jailed 10 years for raping girl, 4

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A former army sergeant who raped a pre-school girl was jailed for 10 years today.

Alexandre James Pancheri Harpur, 40, will not be eligible for parole for at least six years, after being sentenced by Justice Alan MacKenzie at the High Court in Palmerston North today, The Manawatu Standard reported.

Harpur pleaded guilty to raping a four-year-old girl in 2005, four sexual violation counts against the girl, one charge of attempted unlawful sex and 12 of making objectionable material.

Justice MacKenzie told Harpur: "A lengthy period of imprisonment is necessary to protect the community from you. Offending of this sort against young children can have life-long consequences for the victim."

- NZPA