Algerian cleared of Cologne sex assault

An Algerian man who was accused of being part of a group that groped a woman in Cologne, on New Year’s Eve, has been cleared of attempted sexual assault, but convicted of handling stolen goods.

The 26-year-old was the first person to go on trial for a sexual offence regarding the new year events, which heightened tensions over Germany’s migrant influx.

However, the victim of the assault didn’t recognise him and the Cologne regional court ruled there was no proof that the man was one of of the alleged assailants.