The body of an 11-year-old girl has been discovered as a suspect who has been accused of rape multiple times in the past is charged with her killing. The death of Lyhanna has sent shockwaves across France and triggered a political row after it emerged the man at the centre of the investigation had previously been the subject of several complaints involving young girls.

The schoolgirl vanished after leaving school in the Gers department of south-west France last week, prompting a major search operation. Her body was later found on agricultural land close to Fleurance. A 41-year-old man, identified by French authorities as Jérome B, was taken into custody on Monday. Investigators believe he knew Lyhanna through his daughter, who was reportedly friends with the youngster. The case has intensified scrutiny of the French justice system after prosecutors disclosed details of previous allegations made against the suspect. Officials said he had previously come to the attention of authorities in four separate matters involving underage girls.

While two investigations were dropped due to insufficient evidence, another resulted in him losing his job as a maintenance worker at a secondary school following allegations of "inappropriate behaviour" towards a teenager.

Questions are now being asked about a complaint lodged last August by the mother of a 10-year-old girl.

According to the prosecutor in Auch, the woman alleged her daughter had been raped by Jérome B on multiple occasions.

Prosecutors said medical evidence was consistent with the child's account.