By Sammie Jones
A Cyprus judge has given the British teen found guilty of lying about being gang-raped a second chance, helping her to escape jail.
The 19-year-old woman, whose identity has been protected throughput the case was sentenced to a four month suspended jail sentence in Cyprus on Tuesday. She hugged her family and her legal team and left court weeping, with her head in her hands, following her sentence for public mischief.
She and her family had called on Uk prime minister Boris Johnson to save her from the nightmare that saw her allegation of rape turn to one of public mischief against her. Her family had raised fears she would suffer permanent damage to her mental health if she was sent to prison, having been diagnosed with PTSD.
Her sentence was suspended for three years, and she has been ordered to pay €148 (£125) in legal fees. The teenager now plans to return to the UK.Women’s rights groups protested outside court ahead of the sentencing.
SECOND CHANCE
However, Judge Michalis Papathanasiou told her he was giving her a “second chance”
Judge Michalis Papathanasiou said: “I admit, I have been troubled over this. All the evidence shows that she had lied and prevented the police from doing other serious jobs.
“Twelve people were arrested and seven of them were there for at least 10 days. That was also a serious offence.
“Her psychological state, her youth, that she has been away from her family, her friends and academic studies this year.
“This has led me to decide to give her a second chance and suspend the sentence for three years.”
The teenager’s mother said: “On behalf of the family, I would like to say we are very relieved at the sentence that has been passed down today.
“I would also like to say thank you for all the support we have received throughout the globe.”
Addressing applauding supporters, she added: “I just want to thank each and every one of you for turning up today, having belief, having faith and making sure we get justice.”
The teenager’s mother shouted “she’s coming home” to supporters outside court, telling reporters she felt “relieved”. He added: “This has been an incredibly sad and tragic case. Dozens of protesters gathered outside Famagusta District Court in Paralimni on Tuesday morning.
They chanted “Cyprus justice, shame on you”, “stop blaming the victim” and “you are not alone”.
Some held placards reading “we believe you” and “don’t be afraid”.
The teenager claimed she was raped by up to 12 Israeli tourists in a hotel room in the party town of Ayia Napa on July 17. The young men, aged between 15 and 20, who were arrested over the incident, were freed after she signed a retraction statement 10 days later.
Prosecutors argued that she consented to sex with the men, but alleged rape when she realised she was being filmed.
Image: Henry Veghan/PA