A court in Germany sparked outrage by giving a firefighter a lenient sentence for rape, saying it was important for him to keep his job.

A Munich judge's decision to sentence 25-year-old Thomas B to 11 months' probation has been widely condemned for setting a precedent that prioritizes an offender's career over justice for the victim.

"This judgment sends a terrible signal," said Britta Zur, the former president of Gelsenkirchen's police, in a social media post. "So many work tirelessly to fight physical violence and sexual abuse, and yet the judiciary does not pursue it?"

In its justification for the lenient sentence, the court also stated that it would be "a very great hardship if he were to lose his position because of this judgment".

Thomas B, who said he had no recollection of the attack due to alcohol, pleaded guilty and expressed remorse. He was sentenced to 11 months probation. Under German law, rape is punishable by two to 15 years in the most serious cases. If Thomas had been sentenced to a year or more, he would have lost his job, according to Bild.

The rape case revolves around an incident in February 2022 when the Munich firefighter assaulted Jennifer L, whose name has been changed to comply with German privacy laws. After drinking too much at a party, Jennifer L invited him to her house, sensing his distress after a breakup with his wife.

She fell asleep, only to wake hours later to find her underwear had been forcibly removed and Thomas B was touching her inappropriately. She immediately confronted him and demanded that he leave.

Thomas B was also ordered to pay the victim around £5 compensation and complete 80 hours of community service.