'La Manada' sexual abuse sentence upheld

A senior court in Pamplona has upheld a controversial judgment against five men from Seville who were found guilty of the group sexual abuse of a young woman during the San Fermín bull-running festival in 2016.

The on-going case of the five friends, who nicknamed themselves 'La Manada', (the pack), has been high-profile nationally, not only for the graphic details published, but also for the fine legal distinction between sexual aggression and the lesser charge of sexual abuse.

The panel of judges reviewing the first verdict confirmed the nine-year sentence, but two of the five supported 14 years for aggression. The new ruling will be appealed by both sides in the Supreme Court.

The government has said it will clarify the law for the future.