A man who repeatedly drugged his then wife and invited strangers to rape her while she was unconscious has been sentenced to 20 years in prison after a historic mass trial.
Dominique Pelicot, 72, had confessed to all the charges and admitted he mixed sedatives into the food and drink of Gisele Pelicot so he could sexually assault her.
Warning: This story contains details that readers may find distressing
He is one of 51 men who were on trial for participating in the attacks against Ms Pelicot, 71.
All of the men were found guilty of at least one offence, with nearly all convicted of rape, after a trial which shocked France and made headlines around the world.
The defendants have been sentenced to a total of more than 400 years.
Ms Pelicot waived her right to anonymity during the trial as she insisted it was for perpetrators to feel “shame” and not victims.
Gisele Pelicot speaks to the press as she leaves the courtroom. Pic: AP
The move led women in France and other countries to join demonstrations in solidarity with her and other survivors of sexual abuse.
Speaking outside the court in Avignon after the sentences were handed down, Ms Pelicot said she had “wanted to put this struggle forward” for her children and grandchildren.
The mother-of-three had insisted the trial was held in public and the court show the explicit videos of the rapes recorded by her then husband because she wanted people to “see the truth”.
She said outside court today that she “never regretted” opening the doors of the trial so “society could see what was happening”.
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Gisele Pelicot arrives at court to hear the verdicts
A supporter holding up a sign saying ‘Thank you Gisele’
Ms Pelicot, who said she felt “very emotional” after today’s hearing, added: “I have faith in our capacity to collectively take hold of a future in which everybody – women, men – can live together in harmony, respect and mutual understanding.”
Asked by a reporter what her thoughts were on today’s sentencings, she said: “I respect the courts and I respect the decisions.”
Ms Pelicot was cheered as she walked away from the court through crowds of press photographers and supporters after speaking to the media.
Gisele Pelicot leaves the Avignon courthouse. Pic: AP
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‘My client is struck by the sentencing’
Dominique Pelicot’s lawyer earlier said outside court that there are 11 remaining unidentified suspects from the abuse videos.
The jail term handed down to Dominique Pelicot is the maximum available for aggravated rape in France.
Ms Pelicot arrived at the court smiling today, welcomed by supporters who applauded and shouted “justice for Gisele”.
She looked at each defendant directly as they were found guilty.
Gisele Pelicot making her way to court today for the verdicts. Pic: Reuters
Soldier, plumber and retired firefighter among offenders
During the trial, Dominique Pelicot told the court: “I am a rapist just like all the others in this room.”
Following his sentencing, the other 50 defendants were handed jail terms ranging between three and 15 years.
Among them were Joan K, a 27-year-old soldier who was handed a 10-year sentence for raping Ms Pelicot twice in 2019 and 2020, and Ahmed T, a 54-year-old plumber who has been jailed for eight years for raping her once in 2019.
All of the 50 defendants can only be identified by their first name and the initial of their surname for French legal reasons.
The press were gathered outside as Ms Pelicot left the courthouse. Pic: Reuters
Romain V, a 63-year-old retiree, was jailed for 15 years for raping Ms Pelicot six times between December 2019 and January 2020.
Saifeddine G, a 37-year-old lorry driver who raped Ms Pelicot once at her home in 2019, was sentenced to three years in prison.
Jacques C, a 73-year-old retired firefighter, was jailed for five years for raping the victim once at her home in 2020.
Read more:
How the perfect husband was revealed to be a predator
Sons face ‘devil’ father in court
Gisele Pelicot tells court of ‘scenes of barbarity’
David, one of the Pelicots’ sons, gives a thumbs up outside court after the verdicts. Pic: Reuters
From left: David, Caroline and Florian make their way to court. Pic; Reuters
‘You will die alone’
The Pelicots’ three adult children, Caroline, David and Florian, were seen arriving at court for the verdicts this morning.
Ms Pelicot sat next to her youngest son Florian during the sentencings, with David giving a thumbs-up outside the court after the hearing.
During the trial Caroline had shouted at her father: “You will die alone like a dog in jail.”
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‘Gisèle Pelicot is an icon!’
‘They regarded me like a rubbish bag’
The Pelicots were married for 50 years and moved to the small town of Mazan in Provence after they retired.
Everything appeared normal, until Ms Pelicot’s life was torn apart in late 2020.
Her husband was arrested in September 2020 for filming up women’s skirts in a supermarket.
A sketch of Dominique Pelicot during the trial in September. Pic: Reuters
Police searched the couple’s house and electronic devices and found thousands of photos and videos of men engaging in sexual acts with Ms Pelicot while she appeared unconscious.
It was discovered that Dominique Pelicot had offered sex with his wife on a website and filmed the abuse. Ms Pelicot was so heavily drugged she had no recollection of being attacked and had to be told by the police what had happened to her.
The men, she told the court, treated her “like a rag doll, like a rubbish bag”.
The hard drive also contained naked images of the couple’s eldest daughter, although Dominique Pelicot denied ever abusing her, as well as images taken on a hidden camera of his pregnant daughter-in-law. Both victims also waived their right to anonymity.
Dominique Pelicot in court
The defendants on trial were of different ages, ethnicities and social backgrounds – and were dubbed “Monsieur Tout le Monde” or “Mr Everyman” by the French press because their backgrounds are so varied.
Most lived within a 35-mile radius of the couple, and some were even known to Ms Pelicot.
Some denied the rape charges, claiming they believed Ms Pelicot had agreed to be drugged and was a willing participant in a sex game between the couple.
But Ms Pelicot told the court: “They didn’t rape me with a gun to their heads. They were fully conscious when they were raping me.”
She added: “Why didn’t they go to the police? Even an anonymous phone call could have saved my life.”
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Debate around France’s rape law
The trial has sparked a debate about whether France should update its rape law, which does not require sex to involve consent.
Instead, prosecutors must prove a perpetrator’s intent to rape using “violence, coercion, threat or surprise”.
Anyone feeling emotionally distressed or suicidal can call Samaritans for help on 116 123 or email jo@samaritans.org in the UK. In the US, call the Samaritans branch in your area or 1 (800) 273-TALK
If you think you’re experiencing domestic abuse, you can contact the National Domestic Abuse Helpline on 0808 2000 247
The Rape Crisis National Helpline can be contacted on 0808 802 9999
