Soldier jailed for 14 months over sexual assault

A soldier who sexually assaulted a young schoolgirl after claiming that he had mistaken her for his wife has been jailed.

Sosiveta Nakanacagi kissed and fondled the 12-year-old girl after he returned to his homefollowingaheavydrink- ing session with pals at his barracks. Corporal Nakanacagi claimed he mistook the child for his wife due to his drunkenness and that the girl had climbed on top of him as lay sleeping.

Nakanacagi, who is based at Glencorse Barracks, Midlothian, claimed he immediately pushed the girl off him after opening his eyes and finding her on top.

But a jury failed to believe the corporal’s story and found him guilty of sexual assaulting the youngster at a home in Midlothian following a three day trial at Edinburgh Sheriff Court last month. And yesterday the Fijian national, who is not related to the girl, was jailed for 14 months and placed on the sex offenders register for seven years.

Sheriff Michael O’grady QC told the shamed soldier the attack was “a significant breach or trust” and that he had left the schoolgirl “very confused and troubled”. Previously the 39-year-old soldier told the court he had gone to the girl’s home following a heavy drinking session.