A British teenager found guilty of lying about being gang-raped in Cyprus can return home after a judge said he was giving her a “second chance” and suspended her prison sentence.

The 19-year-old woman hugged her family and legal team and left court weeping, with her head in her hands, after she was sentenced for public mischief.

The teenager’s mother shouted “she’s coming home” to supporters outside Famagusta District Court, telling reporters she feels “relieved”.

Her lawyer Lewis Power QC said she will be returning home later on Tuesday but said her legal team would be challenging her conviction and were prepared to take the case to the European Court of Human Rights.

The teenager, from Derbyshire, has been stuck on the island after claiming she was raped by up to 12 Israeli tourists in a hotel room in the party town of Ayia Napa on July 17.

She was charged and spent about a month in prison before being granted bail in August.

Cyprus Rape Case
Protesters shout slogans outside a court before the arrival of the 19 year-old British woman (AP Photo/Petros Karadjias)

The dozen young men and boys, aged between 15 and 20 arrested over the incident were freed after she signed a retraction statement 10 days later.

But she maintains she was raped after having consensual sex with one of the Israelis and forced to change her account under pressure from Cypriot police following hours of questioning alone and without legal representation.

Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab said he has raised concerns over her treatment with the Cypriot authorities, after the teenager’s conviction provoked outrage in Cyprus and the UK.

After the sentence, he said: “We will be following up on some of the issues in relation to the case. I spoke to the Cypriot foreign minister about that.

“There is a broader issue for Brits travelling abroad – not just in Cyprus, or indeed in Europe – whether it is holiday, whether it is backpacking, to make sure they can do so as safely and securely as possible.

Cyprus Rape Case
Protesters shout slogans outside a court before the arrival of the 19 year-old British woman at court (AP Photo/Petros Karadjias)

“What we will want to do is have a conversation with our Cypriot friends and partners about that case once I have downloaded the full facts.”

The teenager’s 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 Judge Michalis Papathanasiou told the court he would not be jailing her, despite insisting that all the evidence suggested she was guilty.

Sentencing her to four months in prison, suspended for three years, and told the packed courtroom: “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.”

Cyprus rape court case
People protested outside Downing Street (Stefan Rousseau/PA)

Around 100 protesters gathered outside the court, including a group of about 60 from Israel.

Holding placards reading “we believe you” and “don’t be afraid”, they chanted: “Cyprus justice, shame on you”; “Stop blaming the victim”, and: “You are not alone”.

Their voices could be heard inside court as the judge passed sentence, even after security guards had asked for the windows and blinds to be closed.

Addressing applauding supporters after the hearing, the teenager’s 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.

“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.”

Adi Izrael, who had travelled to Cyprus from Israel, said: “Many people say, ‘we don’t know she was raped’. But the way they (the Israelis) behaved, something is wrong with this case.

“The rape was obvious and it’s obvious she deserves our support.”

A crowdfunding page set up to help with the teenager’s legal costs has raised almost £140,000 and its founder, John Hobbs, said he hopes to keep up the momentum to fight the appeal, which could take up to four years.

The teenager’s lawyer Mr Power said: “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.

“We will be appealing the conviction and will take this case to the Supreme Court of Cyprus and are prepared to fight this case all the way to the European Court of Human Rights.

“We say and will maintain that this young girl was stripped both of her dignity and her basic human rights.”

Lawyer Michael Polak, from the Justice Abroad group, which is assisting the teenager, said: “When the teenager reported the horrific offence to the Cypriot police in July 2019 she did not imagine that she would end up on trial.

“Not only has she been subject to this indignity but she was also remanded in Nicosia prison for four-and-a-half weeks and has been subject to stringent bail conditions requiring her to stay in Cyprus since this time.

“Despite all the obstacles that the teenager has faced seeking justice for the terrible offences that she reported, she and her legal team remain committed to obtaining justice.”

Nir Yaslovitzh, a lawyer who represents four of the Israelis arrested over the alleged rape, had previously called for a harsh sentence.

But he said on Tuesday: “What’s important isn’t the decision that the judge gave today.

“What’s important for me is the judge found the girl guilty because the meaning for me and all the people in Israel is that the judge found the version all the boys gave in Cyprus is true.”