A 'predatory' Lance Corporal in the prestigious Household Cavalry who pinned down a 17-year-old soldier and bit her neck after inviting her over to watch a film has been jailed.

Experienced Lance Corporal Mark James, 29, had invited the junior soldier over to watch a film but pounced on her when she tried to leave, a court martial heard.

LCpl James initially grabbed her breasts and thigh, then when she tried to leave, he pinned her down, bit her neck, and told her that's how he 'did it to the girls' as he lifted her legs.

The young soldier regarded LCpl James as a friend and said that her 'trust' in other men had been broken by his 'predatory' behaviour.

LCpl James was sentenced to 22 weeks' service detention and dismissed from the military at Bulford Military Court, Wiltshire.

Assistant Judge Advocate General John Atwill said: 'You invited a female colleague over to watch a movie together.

'You were friends, but having watched the movie, you grabbed her breasts and you grabbed her thigh.

'She made to leave but you pinned her back and you bit her on the neck. You lifted her legs, telling her that was how you did it to the girls.'

Experienced Lance Corporal Mark James (pictured outside Bulford Military Court), 29, had invited the junior soldier over to watch a film but pounced on her when she tried to leave, a court martial heard

LCpl James pleaded not guilty to sexual assault but was found guilty after trial.

Judge Atwill said he had taken 'no responsibility' for his actions but had acknowledged the effect an offence like this may have on someone's life.

Sentencing LCpl James, Judge Atwill said: 'This offence is so serious that the least sentence we can give is 22 weeks.

'Offences like these undermine trust, and they fracture units. You made an awful decision that day. That woman was entitled to your respect and you failed her and your unit.

'Predatory behaviour like this drives young people out of the service.'

Prosecuting, Graham Coombes, read out a statement from the victim which said: 'I regarded you as a friend. You were one of the initial people I spoke to.

'I was quite an outgoing and chatty person. There was never any flirting. I never gave you the impression I wanted anything more. There was no special connection between us.

'I met you as a 17-year-old female ready to serve in the army, but that day, you took something from me - trust. I am now not that chatty, sociable person.

'As a young female, I should be out enjoying myself, but I have no trust. With males I have not met before, I don't feel I can trust them.

'Even in my block and my room, I make sure my door is locked. Working around camp, I try not to be alone. I knew you were still on camp and this made me feel sick.