British teenager sentenced over false rape claim in Cyprus

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A British teenager has been given a four-month suspended sentence after being found guilty of lying about gang-rape in Cyprus.

The 19-year-old hugged her family and left court weeping after she was sentenced for public mischief.

Her sentence was suspended for three years, and she has been ordered to pay €148 in legal fees. It means she is free to return to the UK.

Women's rights groups protested outside court ahead of the sentencing.

In Famagusta District Court on Tuesday, Judge Michalis Papathanasiou told her he was giving her a "second chance".

Supporters from Cyprus and Israel could be heard chanting "Cyprus justice, shame on you", "stop blaming the victim" and "you are not alone" outside the court.

The 19-year-old was convicted following a trial after recanting a claim that she was raped in a hotel room in July.

The teenager has said Cypriot police made her falsely confess to lying about the incident at a hotel - something police have denied.

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