Firefighters should not face charge of raping girl, French court rules

Accused will face lesser offence of sexual assault in Julie' case that has sparked protests across France

France's highest court has ruled that firefighters accused of raping a girl aged between 13 and 15 years old should be charged with the lesser offence of sexual assault.

A woman known as Julie claims she was groomed by a firefighter in 2008 when she was a girl aged 13 and that he later introduced her to his colleagues. Three accused men have admitted having sex with her but say it was consensual. Seventeen others have not been charged.