
Appeal British woman found guilty of lying about Cyprus gang-rape has conviction overturned
The student told police she was attacked by up to 12 Israeli tourists in a hotel room. Her lawyers say her original allegations should now be investigated
A British woman found guilty of lying about being gang-raped in Cyprus has won her appeal to overturn the conviction at the country’s supreme court.
The 21-year-old university student from Derby was given a suspended four-month jail term in 2020 by a Cypriot judge who found her guilty of public mischief following a trial at Famagusta district court in Paralimni.
She told police she was attacked by up to 12 Israeli tourists in a hotel room while on holiday in the party town of Ayia Napa on July 17 2019.
The woman was charged after signing a retraction statement 10 days later but has since maintained she was pressured by officers to withdraw the rape allegation.
Her team of English and Cypriot lawyers took her appeal to the supreme court in the capital Nicosia in September, arguing the conviction is unsafe and should be set aside.
On Monday, the court allowed the appeal and overturned the conviction, according to her lawyers, who welcomed the decision but said her original allegations should now be investigated.
Top Videos






Available now on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or Google Podcasts.
Latest Courts
- Two men (20s) charged in connection with burglary at Dublin industrial park
- Notorious Co Down man remanded into custody for 'stalking' woman
- Coleen Rooney's Irish bodyguard predicts 'she'll win her case' against Rebekah Vardy
- Ex RTE journalist found guilty of sex assault on sleeping woman silent on conviction
- Mum-of-three convicted of running illegal puppy farm out of council home
Latest
- Jordan Henderson tries to find words to sum up Liverpool's Premier League title heartache
- Irish MEPs blocked from diplomatic mission to Palestine after Israel stops chairperson entering
- The greatest Premier League title race of them all is given a fitting final day of drama
- Raphinha and Jack Harrison steer Leeds to safety with 2-1 win at Brentford
- Derry Girls star says hit comedy taught UK public the history of Northern Ireland