[JURIST] A French appeals court Saturday acquitted one of 12 individuals who appealed their convictions [JURIST report] in a 2005 child prostitution case, one of the biggest criminal trials in the country's history [JURIST report]. Sixty-two men and women were initially convicted for offering forty-five children, ranging in age from six months to fifteen years, for sex from 1999 to 2002. The sentences for 11 other defendants were basically confirmed, with one prison term being reduced by one year.

The defendants originally received prison terms ranging from three to 28 years. A man, his son, and his son's ex-girlfriend accused of hosting most of the abuse in Angers in western France received sentences of 28, 18, and 16 years in prison, respectively. Two brothers involved were sentenced to 28 and 26 years in prison. The jury in the case deliberated for over a month. AP has more.