Spanish ‘wolf pack’ cleared of gang rape

A Spanish court has upheld a sexual abuse conviction and nine-year prison sentence for five men who attacked an 18-yearold woman, but judges again acquitted them of gang rape.

A lower court handed down the sentence last year, triggering protests in two dozen Spanish cities by women’s rights advocates angry about what they saw as the court’s leniency.

Lawyers for the victim appealed, asking for a gang rape conviction.

The Navarra Superior Court ruled yesterday the five men did not use force, even though they took advantage of the woman.