British Army soldier Ryan Pell sexually assaulted teenager

Signaller Ryan Pell subjected the frightened 17-year-old to a 'never-ending' ordeal, refusing to take no for an answer and continually ignoring her pleas for him to stop.

The 26-year-old military communications engineer pinned his 5ft 4ins victim against a fence, pushing her onto the floor and straddling her.

The teenager told Bulford Military Court she was worried nobody would believe her if she told them.

Sig Pell denied he had done any of these things, while also claiming that one of the eight pints he drank that night had been spiked.

He has since been convicted on three counts of sexual assault.

Blandford Camp

His trial was told the incident happened late one evening last year when Sig Pell, of 10th Signal Regiment, returned from a nearby pub with some colleagues.

The victim, who cannot be identified for legal reasons, got into an argument with another person.

Sig Pell noticed she was upset and suggested they 'go for a walk and talk about it'.

• Read more: Man jailed for attacking staff at pub in Poole

His victim told the court: “[He was] stumbling a little bit and had slurred speech but he was not extremely intoxicated.”

During the walk, she said Sig Pell tried to kiss her and, after attempting to leave, grabbed her from behind.

Signaller Ryan Pell has been convicted of sexual assaulting a 17-year-old girl. (Image: Ollie Thompson/Solent News)

Giving evidence, the teenager told the court she 'couldn't get out' of Sig Pell’s grasp and that he repeatedly tried to kiss her neck.

After a struggle, he apparently pinned her down on the ground and straddled her.

The girl managed to escape but Sig Pell was said to have chased her before pinning her against a fence.

She added: “He grabbed me and put one hand on my lower back and one on the top of my back.

“He said something along the lines of 'now the fence is working in my favour'. His body was pressed against the back of mine.”

The female soldier said he continued to try to kiss her, and she shouted at him to leave her alone.

Bulford Military Court Centre in Wiltshire (Image: Ollie Thompson/Solent News)

“I felt like I was unable to get out of the situation, I felt like it was never-ending,” she said.

Eventually, Sig Pell released her and she quickly reported the assault.

Captain Camilla Gane, prosecuting, told the court martial: “[She] said no and that should have been the end of it.

“Instead he tried again and he did not take no for an answer.”

Sig Pell admitted he put his hands on the victim’s waist but denied three counts of sexual assault. He was found guilty of all three charges.

He will be sentenced later this month.