Fribourg, Switzerland (GenevaLunch) - Two youths, who were 17 when they committed the crime, have been sentenced for sexually abusing two 14-year-old girls in 2008, in a case that was closely followed by Swiss media last year. One has been given a 10-month prison sentence and the other a six-month suspended sentence.

The case made headlines in part because the two were the oldest in a group that included seven others, all minors and about the same age as the victims, as well as three to four other young adults who are still awaiting trial. The ringleaders, one of whom was the target of the affections of one of the girls, are both from Serbia, and the case came to light during a period when the Swiss were considering tightening the law for offenders of other nationalities. They voted in favour of the law. The young man given a firm prison sentence had already had charges dropped in a similar case, but where the girl had consented to sex, but he also had a police record for damaging property and traffic violations.

Switzerland has the highest rate of foreigners in Europe.

Charges were dropped against the younger offenders after they were lectured by the judge on the immorality of their actions, involving group sex with at least one of the girls over a period of time. The judge told an AP reporter they appear to have understood. Three or four other youths, now adults, are awaiting trial in the same case. Charges of gang rape were not brought because there was an element of consent, but the second youth, given a suspended sentence, was charged with sexual constraint.

The two who have been sentenced must pay court costs.

The case also followed other high profile cases involving foreigners and sexual crimes with minors.

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