Gisèle Pelicot's ex-husband jailed for 20 years and 50 men found guilty in mass rape trial

Gisèle Pelicot's ex-husband and 50 other men convicted in mass rape trial

Warning: This article contains details some readers may find distressing

Gisèle Pelicot's ex-husband has been sentenced to 20 years in prison and 50 other men have been found guilty of sexual assault charges in the mass rape trial that has shocked the world.

Dominique Pelicot, 72, cried as he was convicted of aggravated rape and all other charges against him on Thursday at a court in Avignon, France, meaning he could spend the rest of his life in prison.

Of the 50 men accused of rape, just one was acquitted but was found guilty of aggravated sexual assault. They now face up to 20 years in prison.

Many of the men received shorter sentences than those recommended by prosecutors, although those who visited Pelicot's home multiple times were given longer sentences.

Pelicot was also found guilty of making and distributing sexual images of their daughter Caroline and the wives of his two sons.

His lawyer, Beatrice Zavarro, told reporters outside of court that his legal team is considering making an appeal but has not yet come to a decision.

“At the moment as I am talking to you, no decision has been taken,” she said.

She implored that Pelicot "wasn’t the conductor of this operation" and the other men found guilty "weren’t the musicians"

"I think in announcing this verdict the court has condemned the head of this orchestra, differentiating him and the different men who make up this orchestra."

In a side room, some family members of the defendants burst into tears while watching the verdicts being read on television screens.

Ms Pelicot was seated on one side of the courtroom, facing the defendants as the judge announced one guilty verdict after another.

Five judges voted by secret ballot in their rulings.

Pelicot admitted to drugging his wife of 50 years for nearly a decade to enable himself and strangers he found online to abuse her while he filmed the attacks.

Pelicot was hounded by the press when arriving at court. Credit: AP

Over the last three months, the harrowing testimony of 72-year-old Ms Pelicot has shocked France and the world, turning the grandmother into an international icon in the fight against sexual abuse.

Pelicot, who has been described as one of France's worst sex offenders, begged for his family’s forgiveness and praised his former wife for her courage to tell her story to the world on Tuesday.

Anti-sexual violence campaigners are calling for tough prison sentences, seeing the verdicts as a potential turning point in combating rape culture and the use of drugs to incapacitate victims.

The decade of abuse

Courtroom sketch shows Gisèle Pelicot (left) and her ex-husband Dominique Pelicot (right) during his trial at the Avignon court house. Credit: AP

Pelicot said he used tranquillisers to drug his wife, rendering her unconscious for hours so he could abuse her at their former retirement home in Mazan, a small town in Provence, and elsewhere.

All the men found guilty lived within a 30-mile radius of the home.

He first came to the attention of police in September 2020, when a shop security guard caught him filming up women’s skirts.

Police then discovered a library of more than 20,000 homemade photos and videos documenting years of abuse he had inflicted on his wife.

The material, stored on computer drives, was precisely catalogued in folders labelled “abuse,” “her rapists,” “night alone,” and other titles.

The extensive evidence led police to identify other defendants. Investigators found videos showing 72 different abusers but were not able to identify all of them.

Although some of the accused, including Pelicot, acknowledged they were guilty of rape, many did not, even in the face of video evidence.

Some defendants claimed that Dominique's consent extended to his wife as well.

Others argued they had no intention of committing rape when responding to his invitations to their home.

Some shifted the blame onto Pelicot, saying he misled them into believing they were engaging in consensual activities.

Support for sexual abuse victims and mental health helplines

Support for sexual abuse victims and mental health helplines

  • Rape Crisis England & Wales runs a rape and sexual abuse support line - you can call the helpline on 0808 500 2222 or use the online chat (both are free and are open 24 hours a day, every day of the year)

  • The Survivors Trust resources site is an online platform designed to offer survivor-led resources and practical tools to help people affected by sexual violence and abuse, and their supporters navigate their journey of healing. You can contact their helpline on 08088 010818

  • Samaritans operates a 24-hour service available every day of the year, by calling 116 123. If you prefer to write down how you’re feeling, or if you’re worried about being overheard on the phone, you can email Samaritans at jo@samaritans.org

  • Papyrus offers support for children and young people under the age of 35 over the phone on 0800 068 41 41 between 9am and midnight every day of the year. If you would rather text you can do so on 07786 209697 or send an email to pat@papyrus-uk.org

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