A female soldier who repeatedly followed her colleague into bathrooms and sexually assaulted her as she 'pinned' her against the wall has escaped jail.

Airtooper Olivia Nelson, 21, dodged jail after she left her victim 'forever scarred' by overpowering her and groping her in repeated attacks.

In one assault, AirTpr Nelson followed the soldier into a toilet on a night out and forcibly held her against the wall by her neck before grabbing her breasts and vagina.

In another incident, she climbed into the colleague's bed and tried to kiss her, then followed her into a shower area and pinned her against the wall as she continued trying to kiss her.

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The traumatised victim, who can't be named for legal reasons, said she struggled to 'break free' because AirTpr Nelson was 'stronger' than her.

AirTpr Nelson, of the British Army Air Corps, on Monday received a suspended sentence as a court heard she has been dismissed from the Army.

She was previously convicted of four counts of sexual assault after a week long trial at Winchester Crown Court, Hants.

Mark Karpinski, prosecuting, said the offences took place at Middle Wallop Army Barracks, Hants.

He told the court that Nelson, then 19, had just gone through a breakup with her long term girlfriend and had confided in the victim.

The prosecutor emphasised that there was 'never any suggestion of a possible sexual relationship' between AirTpr Nelson and the female soldier.

It was heard that on an evening soon after the break up, AirTpr Nelson had been out drinking and had returned to the barracks intoxicated.

"The defendant walked over to [the victim's] bed, climbed onto her bed, pulled back the duvet and repeatedly tried to kiss her," Mr Karpinski said.

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Moments later, the victim left her bed and walked over to the communal shower area - but was followed by AirTpr Nelson, who then 'pinned her against the wall', 'grabbed her throat', and 'tried to kiss her'.

It was heard the female soldier eventually 'managed to break free' from AirTpr Nelson's 'grip'.

He told the court of another occasion, where AirTpr Nelson and the victim were part of a group socialising at a pub.

The victim left the table to use the toilet but was again 'followed' by AirTpr Nelson directly into the cubicle.

"The defendant grabbed [the victim] by the neck, repeatedly tried to kiss her and grabbed her breasts," Mr Karpinski said.

"The defendant then attempted to insert her fingers into [the victim's] vagina.

"Throughout the incident, the victim was loudly telling the defendant to get off her."

It was heard the victim 'eventually managed to escape the cubicle' but AirTpr Nelson - who was again intoxicated - followed her out, before pinning her against the wall again.

The prosecutor told the court that AirTpr Nelson then 'grabbed her vagina' over her clothing.

The victim was 'distressed' by what had happened and 'confided' in a few of her closest acquaintances, it was heard.

She did not formally report the matter, for feat it could impact her 'long term career prospects', but a friend of hers' eventually informed the victims superiors.

The victim told the hearing of the devastating impact AirTpr Nelson's assault has had on her.

She said: "I don't even know where to start about expressing how many feeling I have felt, and the trauma you have made me go through.

"What you did to me, how it made me feel so weak and that you were stronger than me - I tried pushing you away.

"I can truly not get over, or understand, why you did this to me.

"What did I do to deserve this? It takes everything in me not to break down when I think about what you did.

"What you did will forever scar my mind."

Nick Tucker, defending, told the court: "This is a young woman of exemplary character who has, as a result of this offences, had to cut short a promising military career."

Mr Tucker said the 'immaturity' of AirTpr Nelson, who was a teenager at the time of the offences, must have 'played it's part'.

Urging the judge to consider a suspended sentence, he said: "No one could properly say that she had got off lightly.

"She no longer has a future in the army, she is a registered sex offender, and she had those convictions on her record."

AirTpr Nelson was found guilty of four counts of sexual assault on a female, and one count of attempting to assault by penetration.

Judge Nicholas Haggan sentenced her to 21 months in prison, suspended for two years.

"You were just 19 at the time the offences were committed, you have no previous convictions and were therefore prior to the conviction of this, of good character in every respect," he said.

"Your relatively young age at the time you committed these offences is a factor I must take into account.

"You have lost not only your good character, but also your career in the army.

"For you, I suppose that the loss of your career will serve as a greater punishment.

"I do not underestimate that impact that will have on you, and will continue to have on you in the future."

The judge noted that Nelson has continued to deny the offences and said that a 'sexual attraction' towards the victim 'motivated' her to behave in this manner.

Nelson - who stood in the dock wearing a white t-shirt and navy blazer - has also been ordered to complete 50 rehabilitation activity days and carry out 100 hours of unpaid work.