Cyprus rape case: British woman accused of lying about gang attack to return home as lawyers plan to appeal over conviction

Protesters chant ‘stop blaming the victim’ as 19-year-old spared jail in case that sparked international outcry

A British teenager found guilty of lying about being gang-raped in Cyprus is due to arrive back home after being handed a suspended jail sentence amid protests outside court.

The 19-year-old woman hugged her family and lawyers, and left court weeping, with her head in her hands, as she walked free.

Her mother shouted: “She’s coming home” to the more than 150 supporters outside the court, and her lawyer, Lewis Power QC, said she would be returning home later on Tuesday.

Her legal team would also be appealing against her conviction and were prepared to take the case to the European Court of Human Rights, he added.

To a packed courtroom, a judge at Famagusta District Court in Paralimni said he had decided to give the woman “a second chance”, but her lawyers said she had been “stripped both of her dignity and her basic human rights”.

Demonstrators chanted: “Cyprus justice, shame on you” and “stop blaming the victim,” amid concerns the teenager had not been given a fair trial.

She was convicted of public mischief last week in a case which has sparked an international outcry and prompted an intervention from the UK government.

The teenager, from Derbyshire, alleged she was raped by up to 12 Israeli tourists in a hotel room in the party resort of Ayia Napa on 17 July.

The men and boys accused, all aged between 15 and 20, were arrested but later freed after she signed a statement withdrawing the claim 10 days later.

But the woman, who cannot be named, has said she was forced the retract the allegation under pressure from Cypriot police and maintains she was gang-raped after having consensual sex with one of the group.

Her family had raised fears she would suffer permanent damage to her mental health if she was sent to prison, having been diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder.

But she is now free to return home after being sentenced to a four-month jail term, suspended for three years, by judge Michalis Papathanasiou. The offence of public mischief can carry a prison sentence of up to a year.

The judge 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.”

But he said he decided to suspended the teenager’s sentence because of “mitigating factors” including her psychological state, her youth, and the fact she had already spent almost a month in jail and had been unable to leave the country following her arrest last summer.

The Cypriot president, Nicos Anastasiades, had reportedly planned to pardon the teenager if she was sentenced to further prison time.​

Mr Power said after the hearing: “Whilst we welcome the fact that the sentence imposed today allows her to go home, we strongly contest the conviction and the fight for her innocence will go on regardless.”

They would be appealing against the conviction and would take the case to the Supreme Court of Human Rights if necessary, he said.

Demonstrators voice support for the British woman accused of lying about a gang rape as she arrives at court in Paralimni (REUTERS)

The case hinged on a retraction signed by the teenager following hours of questioning alone and without legal representation.

Dominic Raab, the UK foreign secretary, raised concerns over the woman’s treatment with his counterpart in Cyprus.

The British government had also said it was “seriously concerned” about whether the teenager received a fair trial.

Mr Power said the case had “far-reaching repercussions for women travelling abroad and has highlighted the need for appropriate representation”.

He added: “This young woman has shown immense bravery, courage and fortitude in coming forward.

“Her identity has been compromised, she has been trolled viciously on social media and has been subjected to vile comments.

“Some of those who perpetrated this serious sexual assault returned to their homeland bragging triumphantly and unashamedly as to what they had done to her, compounding her trauma.”

The lawyer said his client was a “once happy and gregarious young girl” who endured a “dreadful physical violation of a premeditated gang rape” and then “the prolonged mental ordeal under the judicial process in Cyprus”.

“She is adamant of her innocence and that she has told the truth,” he added.

Protesters held placards reading “we believe you’’ and “don’t be afraid’’ as the teenager arrived at court.

Addressing supporters following the hearing, her mother said: “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.”

Additional reporting by agencies