A French court has sentenced all 51 men for the rape and sexual assault of Gisèle Pelicot in a case that horrified the world.
Pelicot's ex-husband of 50 years, Dominique Pelicot, was given the maximum possible sentence of 20 years for his sick campaign of drugging her for almost a decade and inviting more than 70 strangers to rape her while unconscious.
But the court imposed generally shorter terms than the four-to-18 years demanded by the prosecution for the other defendants, almost all of whom were accused of raping the comatose Gisèle.
And Dominique Pelicot’s lawyer said he may consider an appeal against his sentence.
In all, the court found 47 of the defendants guilty of rape, two guilty of attempted rape and two guilty of sexual assault.
Ms Pelicot, 72, bravely waived her right to anonymity in the case, defiantly telling the court: “The shame is theirs”.
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Key updates:
- 'Monster of Avignon' jailed for 20 years for raping ex-wife Gisèle Pelicot
- Dominique Pelicot 'considering appeal' despite sick crimes
- Some defendants given more lenient sentences than requested by prosecutors
- All 51 men guilty of offences in mass rape and sex assault trial
Live coverage ends
14:21 , Josh SalisburyWe are now ending our live coverage of the verdicts and sentencing. For an overview, please visit here.
Gisele cheered by supporters as she leaves
12:52 , Josh SalisburySupporters shouted, “Thank you Gisèle” and "Bravo Gisele" as she exited the court. Others applauded.
After Ms Pelicot was driven away, supporters gathered in a circle and sang songs including the anthem of the women's liberation movement in the early 1970s.
Gisele Pelicot statement in full
12:38 , Josh SalisburyHere is what Gisele Pelicot said in her statement after the trial in which 51 men were sentenced for rapes and sexual assaults against her.
“"It is with deep emotion that I speak to you today.
“This trial was a very difficult ordeal. I think first of all of my three children, David, Caroline and Florian. I also think of my grandchildren because they are the future and it is also for them that I have led this fight, as well as my daughters-in-law Aurore and Céline. I also think of all the other families affected by this tragedy.
“Finally, I think of the unrecognized victims whose stories often remain in the shadows. I want you to know that we share the same fight.
“I would like to express my deepest gratitude to all the people who supported me throughout this ordeal. Your testimonies have upset me and I have drawn from them the strength to come back every day. Long days of hearings.
“I also thank the victims' aid association for our unwavering support. It has been invaluable to me. To all the journalists who have followed me and followed this case since its inception. I wish to express my gratitude for the faithful, respectful and dignified treatment in which they reported daily on these hearings.
“To my lawyers, finally, all the gratitude and esteem that I have for them for having accompanied me at each stage of this painful journey.
“I wanted, by opening the doors of this trial on September 2, that society could take hold of the debates that took place there.
“I have never regretted this decision. I now have confidence in our ability to collectively seize a future in which each woman and man can live in harmony with respect and mutual understanding. I thank you."
Pictured: Gisèle Pelicot speaking after verdicts
12:31 , Josh Salisbury
Gisèle Pelicot gives statement outside court
12:04 , Josh SalisburyGisèle Pelicot has given a statement to the waiting media outside the court, thanking supporters for their well-wishes throughout the ordeal of the trial.
Ms Pelicot said the trial was tough, saying she respected the decision made by judges today.
She added she never regretted the decision to waive her right to anonymity, meaning the trial was held in public.
French parliamentarians praise Gisèle for courage
11:16 , Josh SalisburyFrench politicians have paid tribute to Gisèle Pelicot for her courage during the trial and sentencing.
Yaël Braun-Pivet, President of the French National Assembly, said: “Thank you for your courage Gisèle Pelicot."
"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."
Clémence Guetté, the vice-president of France’s national assembly described the trial in Avignon as “historic”.
Writing on social media, she said: “The surge of united feminist feeling that has risen throughout France is a springboard from which we can continue our battle for equality and justice. Let’s continue the fight, for Gisèle and all the others.”
Merci pour votre courage Gisèle Pélicot.
— Yaël Braun-Pivet (@YaelBRAUNPIVET) December 19, 2024
À travers vous, c’est la voix de tant de victimes qui porte aujourd’hui, la honte qui change de camp, le tabou qui se brise. Le monde n'est désormais plus le même grâce à vous. #Mazan pic.twitter.com/vLEfycqRHP
Pelicot children 'disappointed with lenient sentences'
11:09 , Josh SalisburyGisèle Pelicot’s children are said to be disappointed in the sentences handed down to some of the men in the case.
The AFP news agency reported they are unhappy with the sentences handed down by a panel of judges today. Most of the defendants in the case received more lenient sentences than had been requested by prosecutors.
The three adult children - David, Caroline and Florian - have spoken out forcefully against their father, with Caroline, 46, describing him as ‘one of the greatest sexual predators’ of all time.
'Shame on justice system': Disappointment outside court over sentences
10:42 , Josh SalisburySome in the crowd outside the Avignon courtroom have begun shouting “shame on the justice system”.
The reaction comes after some defendants were given more lenient sentences than sought by prosecutors.
Ecology researcher and Avignon resident Christelle Vidaller, 35, said she was disappointed in some of the sentences.
She has been waiting outside the court’s gates since 9am, even though she knew she wouldn’t be able to get in because she wanted to show her support for Gisèle.
“It’s a historical trial, we were expecting historical sentences,” she told Reuters.
Dominique Pelicot considering appeal
10:17 , Josh SalisburyDominique Pelicot's lawyer says her client is considering lodging an appeal against his 20-year sentence.
The defendants all have 10 days to appeal.
Supporter outside court welcomes sentences for rapists
10:10 , Josh SalisburyA woman supporting Gisèle Pelicot outside the courtroom in Avignon has welcomed the sentences for the 51 men convicted of raping and sexually assaulting her.
The supporter, Ruth, told Reuters: “I'm very glad, I'm happy to hear that all the people got their sentences.
"It is important for women across the world to see that people who cross boundaries like that and commit rapes like that will receive an adequate sentence."
Slogans on placards by supporters read "Christmas in prison, Easter in prison" and "All the women on earth support you, thank you Gisèle".
Some defendants receive lesser sentences than requested as hearing concludes
10:01 , Josh SalisburyThe sentencing has now concluded, with the courtroom emptying out.
All 51 defendants have been sentenced, but many received more lenient terms than requested by French prosecutors.
Dominique Pelicot was handed the maximum-possible sentence of 20 years for his sickening crimes in which he drugged Gisèle and invited more than 70 strangers to rape her while comatose.
But several co-defendants received lighter sentences than had been requested. Among them was Jean-Pierre Marechal who was jailed for just 12 years.
That was less than the 17-year term prosecutors sought.
Marechal was found guilty of following in Dominique Pelicot’s footsteps and drugging and raping his own wife over the course of five years.
Defendant who fled justice gets 12-year sentence
09:54 , Josh SalisburyA defendant who is not in court today because he is on the run has been handed a 12-year sentence.
Hassan Ouamou, 30, fled justice for Morocco. He has told French officials he has no intention of returning to France to face punishment.
Ouamou was earlier found guilty of aggravated rape in the case.
Police vans arrive to take men into custody
09:51 , Josh SalisburyPolice vans have arrived outside the courthouse to take the men into custody when sentencing concludes.
Dominique Pelicot weeps as sentences read out
09:42Dominique Pelicot is weeping as the sentences are read out.
Pelicot was earlier sentenced to 20 years for inviting more than 70 strangers to his home to rape his comatose and drugged ex-wife.
Sentencing is continuing in the case, with sentences ranging from three years to 20 years.
All 51 men in case guilty as sentencing continues
09:30 , Josh SalisburyThe verdicts have been now been handed down in the case, with judges quickly moving through sentences.
All 51 men have been found guilty of offences in connection with the case.
All defendants who were accused of rape have been found guilty on that charge, with the exception of one defendant who was found guilty of sexual assault.
One man is on the run, and was tried in his absence.
Dominique Pelicot jailed for 20 years
09:26Dominique Pelicot has been jailed for 20 years for his campaign of rape and abuse against his ex-wife.
This is the term that was requested by prosecutors and is the maximum allowed under French law.
His co-accused, Jean-Pierre Marechal, has been jailed for 12 years.
This is less than the 17 years requested by prosecutors.
Marechal was earlier found guilty of drugging and raping his own wife over the course of five years.
Defendant acquitted of rape but guilty of sexual assault
09:24 , Josh SalisburyOne of the 51 defendants, Saifeddine Ghabi, has been acquitted of rape but found guilty of sexual assault.
He is the only defendant so far who had been facing a rape charge not to be found guilty on that count.
The 36-year-old lorry driver had earlier told the court that he was not guilty of rape, saying there was no penetration.
Prosecutors have requested a ten-year sentence in his case.
Verdicts so far - 36 found guilty of rapes
09:20 , Josh SalisburyJudges have now read out 36 verdicts of the 51 to be delivered today.
So far, all those have been found guilty of aggravated rape in the case, including Dominique Pelicot, Ms Pelicot’s ex-husband.
One of those, Jean-Pierre Marechal, was found guilty of following Dominique Pelicot’s lead and drugging and raping his own wife for five years.
Several others have also been convicted of possessing child sexual abuse imagery alongside the rapes.
Ten more defendants found guilty of rape
09:14 , Josh SalisburyTen more men have been found guilty of aggravated rape against Ms Pelicot.
Several of those were also convicted of other offences uncovered during the case, including two who were found to have possessed child sexual abuse material.
20 defendants found guilty of rape so far
09:09At least 20 defendants have been found guilty of rape so far in verdicts read out by the court.
There are 51 accused of rape and sexual assault, including Dominique Pelicot who was earlier found guilty of drugging and raping his ex-wife. He faces 20 years in prison for the sick crimes.
Five more men guilty of aggravated rape
09:05 , Josh SalisburyThe verdicts are now being quickly handed down. Five more men have been found guilty of raping Ms Pelicot.
These are:
- Jacques Cubeau
- Nicolas Francois, who was also found to have possessed child sexual abuse imagery
- Simoné Mekenese
- Thierry Parisis
- Patrice Nicolle
Four more men found guilty of aggravated rape
09:02 , Josh SalisburyFour more men have been found guilty of aggravated rape in verdicts read out by judges.
These are:
- Christian Lescole
- Cyrille Delville
- Florian Rocca
- Charly Arbo
Co-defendant found guilty of drugging and raping own wife
09:00 , Josh SalisburyJudges have found co-defendant Jean-Pierre Marechal guilty of drugging and raping his own wife.
Marechal had earlier admitted in the trial that he followed Dominique Pelicot’s lead, and began to drug and rape his wife for five years.
The 63-year-old also invited Dominique to rape her too.
Dominique Pelicot found guilty
08:56 , Josh SalisburyDominique Pelicot has been found guilty of drugging and raping his wife in a years-long campaign of abuse.
He has also been found guilty of the attempted aggravated rape of the wife of one of the co-accused, Jean Pierre Marechal, and taking indecent images of his daughter, Caroline, and his daughters-in-law, Aurore and Celine.
Pictured: The scene outside court
08:54 , Josh Salisbury
Abuser was uncovered after filming up women's skirts
08:46 , Josh SalisburyAs a reminder, Dominique Pelicot’s crimes were uncovered after a supermarket security guard caught him filming up women's skirts in September 2020.
Police subsequently found his library of homemade images documenting years of abuse inflicted on his wife.
There were more than 20,000 photos and videos in all, stored on computer drives and catalogued in folders marked "abuse", "her rapists", "night alone" and other titles, the court has heard.
The abundance of evidence led police to the other defendants.
In the videos, investigators counted 72 different abusers but were not able to identify them all - with around 20 still at large.
What jail term does Dominique Pelicot face?
08:38 , Josh SalisburyFrench prosecutors have asked for the maximum 20-year prison sentence for 72-year-old Dominique Pelicot.
The retired electrician and estate agent has admitted the charges against him.
Most of the 50 co-accused men, now aged 26 to 74, deny having raped Gisèle.
Some have said they believed they were enacting a couple's fantasy and that they believed Ms Pelicot had consented. They face terms of between four and 18 years.
Verdicts expected shortly
08:34 , Josh SalisburyThe verdicts in the case are due to begin shortly.
Dominique Pelicot, 72, and his 50 co-defendants have assembled to hear the verdicts to be handed down against them.
Dominique Pelicot has admitted his crimes in court, while some of those accused have denied rape.
Judges are expected to begin reading out the verdicts in the next few minutes.
Gisèle Pelicot has arrived at the courthouse in Avignon to hear the verdicts delivered against 51 men accused of raping and sexually assaulting her.
The case is only able to be reported in such detail because Ms Pelicot bravely waived her right to anonymity to speak about the scourge of sexual abuse.
Among those accused of raping Ms Pelicot is her husband of 50 years, Dominique Pelicot, from whom she is now divorced.
He has admitted in court drugging her and recruiting men to rape and sexual abuse her as she slept for his own sordid fantasies.
