20-year-old man acquitted of rape of 12-year-old girl because it is part of gypsy culture, says judge

A Spanish court has acquitted a 20-year-old man from the gypsy community accused of raping a 12-year-old girl who later became pregnant with twins because the “relationship” between him and the victim was “partial,” a judge ruled. “This corresponds to the reality of their culture.” Daily Mail .

The man was arrested after a doctor determined the girl was pregnant. The suspect said he did not know her age.

During the trial, the prosecution requested an 11-year prison sentence, but the Ciudad Real court decided to take into account the socio-cultural context of the gypsy community, including the accused and his victims, and a 20-year-old youth was acquitted.

The judge says the relationship “always respects the fundamentals of a consensual and romantic relationship in Gypsy culture,” adding that the defendants, the 20-year-old and 12-year-old girls, are “closer in age and maturity.”

In Spain, the age of consent is 16, but this does not prevent the judge from granting immunity to the accused.

The latter suggests that the young woman is physically and mentally about 15 years old.