Former army sergeant admits sex charges

A former Waiouru army sergeant has pleaded guilty to charges of sexual violation against an underage girl.

Alexandre James Pancheri Harpur, 39, admitted seven sexual violation charges and 10 of taking offensive photographs of a girl under the age of 12, in Palmerston North District Court on Tuesday, the Manawatu Standard reported.

He was charged with raping a girl in Pahiatua on May 29, 2005.

Judge Gerard Lynch convicted and remanded him in custody until sentencing on June 18.