Pelicot rape trial latest: Gisèle’s children ‘disappointed’ at abusers’ sentences after ex-husband jailed
Ms Pelicot’s ex-husband Dominique Pelicot admitted to drugging and raping her for almost a decade
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The children of mass rape victim Gisèle Pelicot have condemned the “low” sentences in France’s most shocking rape case which saw 51 men convicted for a total of 428 years.
Ex-husband Dominique Pelicot wept as he became one of 51 men convicted in a mass rape and sexual abuse trial involving Gisèle Pelicot, that saw her drugged and sexually assaulted over a number of years.
But his children believe the verdicts handed down to the guilty men in the case were too mild, a family member said.
“The children are disappointed by these low sentences,” said the family member, asking not be identified, after a court hearing in Avignon.
Prosecutors had requested sentences totalling 652 years, but the sentences handed out by judges came up 224 years short of this.
Gisèle’s grandchildren were at the forefront of her mind throughout the three-month long court case.
“I’m thinking about all the other families affected by this case and the unrecognised victims in these stories that are often in the shadows - you share my struggle,” Ms Pelicot added.
Dominique Pelicot has been jailed for the maximum term of 20 years. He previously admitted that for years, he drugged his wife so he and strangers could abuse her while he filmed it.
‘The world is no longer the same thanks to you’ - president of National Assembly
The president of France’s National Assembly has issued words of support for Gisèle Pelicot.
She wrote on X: “Thank you for your courage Gisèle Pélicot. Through you, it is the voice of so many victims that carries today, the shame that changes sides, the taboo that is broken.
“The world is no longer the same thanks to you.”
Jean-Pierre Marechal: Dominique Pelicot imitator sentenced to 12 years
Jean-Pierre Marechal was found guilty of the attempted rape and aggravated rape of his own wife, and of drugging her.
Marechal was sentenced to 12 years in prison, after admitting to following Dominique Pelicot’s lead by drugging his own wife for five years.
He raped his wife, and invited Pelicot to rape her.
Marechard’s lawyer, Patrick Fontard, said his client would not be appealing the verdict, but that his client could be free in three years time.
Comment | Gisèle Pelicot’s daughter is dealing with unimaginable horror – as do all ‘forgotten victims’
By now, Gisèle Pelicot is a household name – for all the wrong and most tragic of reasons.
Since September – when she bravely waived anonymity and testified against her husband Dominique – horrific details of how he drugged her, raped her and facilitated her rape by at least 50 other men have slowly come to light.
She has faced her abusers throughout the trial in Avignon, France, attending almost every court date. She has spoken of how “broken” she is and how her decision to be named was to help shift the shame felt by victims of rape and place it rightly on the assailants’ shoulders.
“I am a woman who is totally destroyed, and I don’t know how I’m going to rebuild myself. I’m 72 soon and I’m not sure my life will be long enough to recover from this,” she said of the abuse that spanned nine years.
Emma Clarke writes:
Watch: Men were ‘puppets’ of Dominique Pelicot, lawyer says
51 men sentenced to 428 years in prison - report
The 51 men accused in France’s largest mass rape trial have been sentenced to a total of 428 years, according to French outlet Le Monde.
Of the 51 found guilty - which includes Dominique Pelicot - 47 were convicted of rape, two of attempted rape and two of sexual assault.
Pictured: Gisèle Pelicot’s son gives thumbs up outside courtroom
Three sentences may be deferred due to health issues - defence lawyer
The sentences of three individuals may need to be deferred due to health considerations, defence lawyer Patrick Gontard said.
Speaking outside the courtroom, Mr Gontard said mental health assessments are being undertaken, according to a translation by Sky News.
More names emerge of the convicted rapists
Abdelali Dallal
Dallal was sentenced to eight years and will be placed in a special jail due to medical issues, the judge said according to the BBC.
The 47-year-old pleaded guilty and admitted he was aware Gisèle Pelicot had been given sleeping pills.
Quentin Hennebert
Hennebert told the court he was “a little bit of a victim too”. He admitted to rape and is sentenced to seven years.
Jean Tirano
Tirano, sentenced to eight years, told the court he was drugged by Dominique Pelicot, which Pelicot denied, the BBC said.
13 years for man who raped Gisèle Pelicot six times
Charly Arbo, 30, has been sentenced to 13 years in jail.
The former vineyard worker raped Gisèle Pelicot six times, according to the Guardian, including on her 66th birthday when he was 24.
Arbo proposed drugging and raping his own mother with Dominique Pelicot but did not go through with it, according to video evidence.