Paris
Dominique Pelicot was found guilty by a French court of five judges on Thursday (Dec 19) of drugging and the mass rape of his then-wife Gisèle Pelicot.
The 72-year-old man has been handed the maximum sentence of 20 years in prison for his charges. He had been accused of repeatedly raping and enlisting strangers to abuse his heavily sedated wife for over a decade.
Pelicot was also found guilty of the attempted aggravated rape of the wife of one of the co-accused, Jean Pierre Marechal, Cillia, and taking indecent images of his daughter, Caroline, and his daughters-in-law, Aurore and Celine.
As the verdict was announced, Dominique bent down and started crying in court.
Watch: France: Mass rape shocks nation, support pours in for survivor Gisele

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Apart from Dominique, all 50 other men have also been found guilty of the charges against them, including some who pleaded not guilty. However, some of them were given shorter sentence periods than what was asked by the prosecutors. 
For instance, Jacques C. has been awarded a 5-year suspended prison sentence, allowing him to walk free today itself. As the judges read out the judgment, some gasps could be heard inside the courtroom. 
Cyrille D, Lionel R and Boris M were given just eight years behind bars, although the prosecutors had asked for a 12-year jail term. Another defendant, named Redouan A. was found guilty, but the judge reduced his sentence owing to his diagnosis as schizophrenic.
Also read: <a data-ved="2ahUKEwjU8qqDzrOKAxWpTmwGHRSrFnMQxfQBKAB6BAgHEAE" href="https://www.wionews.com/world/france-mass-rape-case-accused-man-a-father-of-three-admits-to-sexual-assault-of-gisele-pelicot-760285" jsname="YKoRaf" ping="/url?sa=t&amp;source=web&amp;rct=j&amp;opi=89978449&amp;url=https://www.wionews.com/world/france-mass-rape-case-accused-man-a-father-of-three-admits-to-sexual-assault-of-gisele-pelicot-760285&amp;ved=2ahUKEwjU8qqDzrOKAxWpTmwGHRSrFnMQxfQBKAB6BAgHEAE">France mass rape case: Accused man, a father of three, admits to sexual assault of Gisele Pelicot</a>
At least five of the accused won't be sent to prison immediately owing to their bad health. “Several of the convicted men will not be taken to prison immediately because of their health. A few more days of freedom while we find a suitable prison,” Presiding Judge Roger Arata said.
On the other hand, some of the accused were given harsher sentences spanning over a decade. Romain V., who visited the Pelicot house six times, was awarded a 15-year prison sentence. Charly A., who also visited six times, was given 13 years.
(With inputs from agencies)

Pelicot has also been found guilty of the attempted aggravated rape of the wife of one of the co-accused, Jean Pierre Marechal, Cillia, and taking indecent images of his daughter, Caroline, and his daughters-in-law, Aurore and Celine.



Paris Dominique Pelicot was found guilty by a French court of five judges on Thursday (Dec 19) of drugging and the mass rape of his then-wife Gisèle Pelicot. The 72-year-old man has been handed the maximum sentence of 20 years in prison for his charges. He had been accused of repeatedly raping and enlisting strangers to abuse his heavily sedated wife for over a decade. Pelicot was also found guilty of the attempted aggravated rape of the wife of one of the co-accused, Jean Pierre Marechal, Cillia, and taking indecent images of his daughter, Caroline, and his daughters-in-law, Aurore and Celine. As the verdict was announced, Dominique bent down and started crying in court. Watch: France: Mass rape shocks nation, support pours in for survivor Gisele × Apart from Dominique, all 50 other men have also been found guilty of the charges against them, including some who pleaded not guilty. However, some of them were given shorter sentence periods than what was asked by the prosecutors. For instance, Jacques C. has been awarded a 5-year suspended prison sentence, allowing him to walk free today itself. As the judges read out the judgment, some gasps could be heard inside the courtroom. Cyrille D, Lionel R and Boris M were given just eight years behind bars, although the prosecutors had asked for a 12-year jail term. Another defendant, named Redouan A. was found guilty, but the judge reduced his sentence owing to his diagnosis as schizophrenic. Also read: France mass rape case: Accused man, a father of three, admits to sexual assault of Gisele Pelicot At least five of the accused won't be sent to prison immediately owing to their bad health. “Several of the convicted men will not be taken to prison immediately because of their health. A few more days of freedom while we find a suitable prison,” Presiding Judge Roger Arata said. On the other hand, some of the accused were given harsher sentences spanning over a decade. Romain V., who visited the Pelicot house six times, was awarded a 15-year prison sentence. Charly A., who also visited six times, was given 13 years. (With inputs from agencies)

France mass rape trial: Dominique Pelicot found guilty, sentenced to 20 years in prison

Dominique Pelicot was found guilty by a French court of five judges on Thursday (Dec 19) of drugging and the mass rape of his then-wife Gisèle Pelicot.

The 72-year-old man has been handed the maximum sentence of&nbsp;20 years in prison for his charges. He had been accused of&nbsp;repeatedly raping and enlisting strangers to abuse his heavily sedated wife for over a decade.

Pelicot was also found guilty of the attempted aggravated rape of the wife of one of the co-accused, Jean Pierre Marechal, Cillia, and taking indecent images of his daughter, Caroline, and his daughters-in-law, Aurore and Celine.

As the verdict was announced,&nbsp;Dominique&nbsp;bent down and started&nbsp;crying in court.

Watch:&nbsp;France: Mass rape shocks nation, support pours in for survivor Gisele 
&nbsp;

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Apart from Dominique, all 50&nbsp;other men&nbsp;have also been&nbsp;found guilty of the charges against them, including some who pleaded not guilty. However, some of them were given shorter sentence periods than what was asked by the prosecutors.&nbsp;

For instance, Jacques C. has been awarded a 5-year suspended prison sentence, allowing him to walk free today itself. As the judges read out the judgment, some gasps could be heard inside the courtroom.&nbsp;

Cyrille D, Lionel R and Boris M were given just eight years behind bars, although the prosecutors had asked for a 12-year jail term. Another defendant, named Redouan A. was found guilty, but the judge reduced his sentence owing to his diagnosis as schizophrenic.

Also read:&nbsp;<a data-ved="2ahUKEwjU8qqDzrOKAxWpTmwGHRSrFnMQxfQBKAB6BAgHEAE" href="https://www.wionews.com/world/france-mass-rape-case-accused-man-a-father-of-three-admits-to-sexual-assault-of-gisele-pelicot-760285" jsname="YKoRaf" ping="/url?sa=t&amp;source=web&amp;rct=j&amp;opi=89978449&amp;url=https://www.wionews.com/world/france-mass-rape-case-accused-man-a-father-of-three-admits-to-sexual-assault-of-gisele-pelicot-760285&amp;ved=2ahUKEwjU8qqDzrOKAxWpTmwGHRSrFnMQxfQBKAB6BAgHEAE">France mass rape case: Accused man, a father of three, admits to sexual assault of Gisele Pelicot</a>

At least five of the accused won't be sent to prison immediately owing to their bad health. “Several of the convicted men will not be taken to prison immediately because of their health. A few more days of freedom while we find a suitable prison,” Presiding Judge Roger Arata said.

On the other hand, some of the accused were given harsher sentences spanning over a decade. Romain V., who visited the Pelicot house six times, was awarded a 15-year prison sentence. Charly A., who also visited six times, was given 13 years.

(With inputs from agencies)

Dominique Pelicot was found guilty by a French court of five judges on Thursday (Dec 19) of drugging and the mass rape of his then-wife Gisèle Pelicot. The 72-year-old man has been handed the maximum sentence of 20 years in prison for his charges.

Dominique Pelicot was found guilty by a French court of five judges on Thursday (Dec 19) of drugging and the mass rape of his then-wife Gisèle Pelicot. The 72-year-old man has been handed the maximum sentence of 20 years in prison for his charges. He had been accused of repeatedly raping and enlisting strangers to abuse his heavily sedated wife for over a decade. Pelicot was also found guilty of the attempted aggravated rape of the wife of one of the co-accused, Jean Pierre Marechal, Cillia, and taking indecent images of his daughter, Caroline, and his daughters-in-law, Aurore and Celine. As the verdict was announced, Dominique bent down and started crying in court. Watch: France: Mass rape shocks nation, support pours in for survivor Gisele × Apart from Dominique, all 50 other men have also been found guilty of the charges against them, including some who pleaded not guilty. However, some of them were given shorter sentence periods than what was asked by the prosecutors. For instance, Jacques C. has been awarded a 5-year suspended prison sentence, allowing him to walk free today itself. As the judges read out the judgment, some gasps could be heard inside the courtroom. Cyrille D, Lionel R and Boris M were given just eight years behind bars, although the prosecutors had asked for a 12-year jail term. Another defendant, named Redouan A. was found guilty, but the judge reduced his sentence owing to his diagnosis as schizophrenic. Also read: France mass rape case: Accused man, a father of three, admits to sexual assault of Gisele Pelicot At least five of the accused won't be sent to prison immediately owing to their bad health. “Several of the convicted men will not be taken to prison immediately because of their health. A few more days of freedom while we find a suitable prison,” Presiding Judge Roger Arata said. On the other hand, some of the accused were given harsher sentences spanning over a decade. Romain V., who visited the Pelicot house six times, was awarded a 15-year prison sentence. Charly A., who also visited six times, was given 13 years. (With inputs from agencies)

The victim in the France mass rape trial said Tuesday (Nov 19) it was time for the “macho” society to change its attitude on rape. Gisele Pelicot’s statement came as the trial, which is currently underway in the southern city of Avignon, entered its final stages, with the verdict expected next month. "It's time that the macho, patriarchal society that trivialises rape changes," said the 72-year-old woman. "It's time we changed the way we look at rape," she told the court.

Gisele’s ex-husband Dominique Pelicot and 49 other men have spent months in the dock at the court since September over mass rape charges.

Gisele told the court while describing her ordeal that what happened to her will stay with her forever. "I don't think I'll ever feel at peace until the end of my life. I'll learn to live with it. I'll rebuild myself. But there'll forever be 51 people who have defiled me. And I will have to live with this for the rest of my life," she said.

"This scar will never heal."

The case, involving the 71-year-old abuser, Dominique has sparked nationwide protests in France and a debate about male violence in French society.

Watch:&nbsp;France: Mass Rape Trial Heads to Final Phase

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Earlier on Monday, Dominique’s children too appeared in the court, who spoke of their heartbreak and grief.

His daughter told the court she had been “forgotten” despite also being abused. Dominique has however denied abusing his daughter.

Also read:&nbsp;<a data-ved="2ahUKEwjl0ciepOiJAxVDzzgGHYAXEvIQxfQBKAB6BAgPEAE" href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/french-farmers-protest-eu-trade-deal-demand-fair-deal-777281" jsname="YKoRaf" ping="/url?sa=t&amp;source=web&amp;rct=j&amp;opi=89978449&amp;url=https://www.wionews.com/videos/french-farmers-protest-eu-trade-deal-demand-fair-deal-777281&amp;ved=2ahUKEwjl0ciepOiJAxVDzzgGHYAXEvIQxfQBKAB6BAgPEAE">French Farmers Protest EU Trade Deal; Demand Fair Deal</a>

There are allegations that Dominique secretly filmed his son’s wives and leaked their nudes on social media.

"The only difference between her and me is the lack of evidence concerning me. For me, it's an absolute tragedy", said the daughter.

Also read:&nbsp;<a data-ved="2ahUKEwjl0ciepOiJAxVDzzgGHYAXEvIQxfQBKAB6BAgOEAE" href="https://www.wionews.com/world/french-prosecutors-demand-prison-election-ban-for-frances-far-right-leader-marine-le-pen-776160" jsname="YKoRaf" ping="/url?sa=t&amp;source=web&amp;rct=j&amp;opi=89978449&amp;url=https://www.wionews.com/world/french-prosecutors-demand-prison-election-ban-for-frances-far-right-leader-marine-le-pen-776160&amp;ved=2ahUKEwjl0ciepOiJAxVDzzgGHYAXEvIQxfQBKAB6BAgOEAE">French prosecutors demand prison, election ban for far-right leader Marine Le Pen</a>

"In your disgusting files," she told her father, "you don't look at me like a father looks at his daughter."

One of Dominique’s sons, 50-year-old David, said that for him, “the trial of a whole family, which has been totally destroyed."

The France mass rape horror has turned Gisèle into a feminist icon as she refused to keep the trial private and went ahead with opening it to the public to raise awareness.

(With inputs from agencies)

The victim in the France mass rape trial said Tuesday (Nov 19) it was time for the “macho” society to change its attitude on rape. Gisele Pelicot’s statement came as the trial, which is currently underway in the southern city of Avignon, entered its final stages, with the verdict expected next month.

The victim in the France mass rape trial said Tuesday (Nov 19) it was time for the “macho” society to change its attitude on rape. Gisele Pelicot’s statement came as the trial, which is currently underway in the southern city of Avignon, entered its final stages, with the verdict expected next month. "It's time that the macho, patriarchal society that trivialises rape changes," said the 72-year-old woman. "It's time we changed the way we look at rape," she told the court. Gisele’s ex-husband Dominique Pelicot and 49 other men have spent months in the dock at the court since September over mass rape charges. Gisele told the court while describing her ordeal that what happened to her will stay with her forever. "I don't think I'll ever feel at peace until the end of my life. I'll learn to live with it. I'll rebuild myself. But there'll forever be 51 people who have defiled me. And I will have to live with this for the rest of my life," she said. "This scar will never heal." The case, involving the 71-year-old abuser, Dominique has sparked nationwide protests in France and a debate about male violence in French society. Watch: France: Mass Rape Trial Heads to Final Phase × Earlier on Monday, Dominique’s children too appeared in the court, who spoke of their heartbreak and grief. His daughter told the court she had been “forgotten” despite also being abused. Dominique has however denied abusing his daughter. Also read: French Farmers Protest EU Trade Deal; Demand Fair Deal There are allegations that Dominique secretly filmed his son’s wives and leaked their nudes on social media. "The only difference between her and me is the lack of evidence concerning me. For me, it's an absolute tragedy", said the daughter. Also read: French prosecutors demand prison, election ban for far-right leader Marine Le Pen "In your disgusting files," she told her father, "you don't look at me like a father looks at his daughter." One of Dominique’s sons, 50-year-old David, said that for him, “the trial of a whole family, which has been totally destroyed." The France mass rape horror has turned Gisèle into a feminist icon as she refused to keep the trial private and went ahead with opening it to the public to raise awareness. (With inputs from agencies)

France mass rape trial enters final stage, victim Gisele says society must change way it looks at rape

Trigger warning: Some readers might find details of this report disturbing. Discretion is advised.

Gisele Pelicot, who was drugged by her former husband who then invited several men to rape her, took the stance at a French court in the mass rape trial, saying the shame of rape should be on the perpetrators,&nbsp;not the victims.

Noting that rape exists at all levels, the 57-year old grandmother said victims of rape should be able to say, "Mrs Pelicot did it, we can do it too."

"When you’re raped there is shame, and it’s not for us to have shame – it’s for them," she said during the detailed, harrowing and often emotional testimony.

Watch: France: Mass rape shocks nation, support pours in for survivor Gisele Pelicot

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About her former husband Dominique Pelicot, she said that so many times, she told herself how lucky she was "to have you at my side,” assuming that he was supporting her when she felt sick with neurological issues that later turned out to be resulting from him drugging her.

"He was someone I trusted entirely," The Guardian newspaper quoted her as saying. 
 
"How can the perfect man have got to this? How could you have betrayed me to this point? How could you have brought these strangers into my bedroom?”

Pelicot, who has support from scores of women who now consider her a feminist icon, said it's not bravery, but "the will and determination to change society" that led her to take the stand.

It was pointed out in the court that Dominique Pelicot was caught filming up women's skirts in 2020, but Gisele said she thought it was the first time and she could forgive him.

But it was found out during the police probe that he had done the same offence a decade ago in a supermarket.

Gisele said, if she had been informed about that incident in 2010, she would have left him instead of enduring a decade of rape since then, adding she lost 10 years of her life.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/france-mass-rape-case-accused-man-a-father-of-three-admits-to-sexual-assault-of-gisele-pelicot-760285">Also read: France mass rape case: Accused man, a father of three, admits to sexual assault of Gisele Pelicot</a>

The disturbing testimony included questions about a video that had been shown to the court in which she is heard asking to stop.

"It was rape," she said, when asked if her words amounted to consent.

Describing herself as a woman who is 'totally destroyed,' Gisele said rapists could be in families 'and among our friends'.

"This man, who came to rape an unconscious, 57-year-old woman...I am also a mother and grandmother...I could have been his grandmother," she said about one of the accused.

Her private life was dragged into the court too, including questions about her extramarital relationship.

She said she had told her former husband about it.&nbsp;

She noted it was very hard for him. "He couldn’t imagine for a moment I could do that.”

The question about the extramarital affair was raised in the context of an accused man saying Dominique Pelicot had acted out of revenge over it.

There was also a question about what she was wearing in the videos recorded by Dominique Pelicot during the assaults.&nbsp;

The court heard last week how Dominique Pelicot would take off her pyjamas and dress her up in undergarments after drugging her, and before the assaults took place.

She told the court that the undergarments in the videos were not hers, as the man must have kept them somewhere and dressed her up when she was sedated and&nbsp;unconscious.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/drugged-and-raped-for-decades-hundreds-gather-in-support-of-gisele-pelicot-in-france-758730">Also read: 'Drugged and raped for decades,' Hundreds gather in support of Gisele Pelicot in France</a> 
 
She shared having consulted three gynaecologists after feeling unwell, and told the court that he may have spiked her food.

Once, she said, he insisted on driving her to a hairdresser, and afterwards she didn't remember the rest of the appoinment at the place.

The court had been told that Dominique Pelicot kept the drugs in the house and mixed them in meals or ice cream after dinner.

She said he had made a lot of meals, which she saw as a sign of him being caring.

On one occasion when she returned after a visit to her grandchildren, he had already made a meal of mashed potatoes, she told the court.&nbsp;

Often, he would bring her ice cream after dinner. "And I thought, ‘How lucky I am, he’s a love."&nbsp;

She said she hardly had any inkling of having been drugged, as she never felt her heart flutter.

"I didn’t feel anything, I must have gone under very quickly. I would wake up with my pyjamas on. The mornings I must have been more tired than usual, but I walk a lot and thought it was that," she told the court, as per the Guardian report.

Gisele Pelicot is expected to return to the court and make more statements as the trial that gripped France and the world would continue into December.

(With inputs from agencies)

Trigger warning: Some readers might find details of this report disturbing. Discretion is advised. Gisele Pelicot, who was drugged by her former husband who then invited several men to rape her, took the stance at a French court in the mass rape trial, saying the shame of rape should be on the perpetrators, not the victims.

Trigger warning: Some readers might find details of this report disturbing. Discretion is advised. Gisele Pelicot, who was drugged by her former husband who then invited several men to rape her, took the stance at a French court in the mass rape trial, saying the shame of rape should be on the perpetrators, not the victims. Noting that rape exists at all levels, the 57-year old grandmother said victims of rape should be able to say, "Mrs Pelicot did it, we can do it too." "When you’re raped there is shame, and it’s not for us to have shame – it’s for them," she said during the detailed, harrowing and often emotional testimony. Watch: France: Mass rape shocks nation, support pours in for survivor Gisele Pelicot × About her former husband Dominique Pelicot, she said that so many times, she told herself how lucky she was "to have you at my side,” assuming that he was supporting her when she felt sick with neurological issues that later turned out to be resulting from him drugging her. "He was someone I trusted entirely," The Guardian newspaper quoted her as saying. "How can the perfect man have got to this? How could you have betrayed me to this point? How could you have brought these strangers into my bedroom?” Pelicot, who has support from scores of women who now consider her a feminist icon, said it's not bravery, but "the will and determination to change society" that led her to take the stand. It was pointed out in the court that Dominique Pelicot was caught filming up women's skirts in 2020, but Gisele said she thought it was the first time and she could forgive him. But it was found out during the police probe that he had done the same offence a decade ago in a supermarket. Gisele said, if she had been informed about that incident in 2010, she would have left him instead of enduring a decade of rape since then, adding she lost 10 years of her life. Also read: France mass rape case: Accused man, a father of three, admits to sexual assault of Gisele Pelicot The disturbing testimony included questions about a video that had been shown to the court in which she is heard asking to stop. "It was rape," she said, when asked if her words amounted to consent. Describing herself as a woman who is 'totally destroyed,' Gisele said rapists could be in families 'and among our friends'. "This man, who came to rape an unconscious, 57-year-old woman...I am also a mother and grandmother...I could have been his grandmother," she said about one of the accused. Her private life was dragged into the court too, including questions about her extramarital relationship. She said she had told her former husband about it. She noted it was very hard for him. "He couldn’t imagine for a moment I could do that.” The question about the extramarital affair was raised in the context of an accused man saying Dominique Pelicot had acted out of revenge over it. There was also a question about what she was wearing in the videos recorded by Dominique Pelicot during the assaults. The court heard last week how Dominique Pelicot would take off her pyjamas and dress her up in undergarments after drugging her, and before the assaults took place. She told the court that the undergarments in the videos were not hers, as the man must have kept them somewhere and dressed her up when she was sedated and unconscious. Also read: 'Drugged and raped for decades,' Hundreds gather in support of Gisele Pelicot in France She shared having consulted three gynaecologists after feeling unwell, and told the court that he may have spiked her food. Once, she said, he insisted on driving her to a hairdresser, and afterwards she didn't remember the rest of the appoinment at the place. The court had been told that Dominique Pelicot kept the drugs in the house and mixed them in meals or ice cream after dinner. She said he had made a lot of meals, which she saw as a sign of him being caring. On one occasion when she returned after a visit to her grandchildren, he had already made a meal of mashed potatoes, she told the court. Often, he would bring her ice cream after dinner. "And I thought, ‘How lucky I am, he’s a love." She said she hardly had any inkling of having been drugged, as she never felt her heart flutter. "I didn’t feel anything, I must have gone under very quickly. I would wake up with my pyjamas on. The mornings I must have been more tired than usual, but I walk a lot and thought it was that," she told the court, as per the Guardian report. Gisele Pelicot is expected to return to the court and make more statements as the trial that gripped France and the world would continue into December. (With inputs from agencies)

French mass rape trial: Gisele Pelicot makes explosive testimony, says shame is on accused

One of the 50 men who are alleged to have taken part in the years-long drugging and raping of French woman Gisele Pelicot has admitted to his guilt, saying he was "part of this nightmare."

The man, identified in court documents as 44-year-old Lionel R, was speaking at the trial on a macabre case that shocked France. Apologising to Pelicot, he said in court on Thursday (Sep 19): "I have no choice but to accept the facts."

<h2>What is the case about?</h2>

Between 2011 and 2020, Pelicot was drugged by her now-former husband Dominique Pelicot into a 'deep coma' state. He then invited men to rape her in her bedroom in southern France.&nbsp;The accused, 50 men in total, are aged 26 to 74 and include a fireman, jailor, nurse and journalist.

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&nbsp;

Dominique Pelicot had earlier admitted to connecting with strangers on online chatrooms and inviting them to rape her.&nbsp;He told the court he was “a rapist”, while claiming that all the men knew they were raping his unconscious wife.

Gisèle Pelicot wanted an open trial&nbsp;to raise awareness on use of drugs in rape and sexual abuse. Hundreds of women came out in support of her outside the court where the trial will continue into December.

While some of the accused told the court they were told the woman was drugged and unconcious, some others said they thought they were part of a sex game oragnised by&nbsp;the husband.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/drugged-and-raped-for-decades-hundreds-gather-in-support-of-gisele-pelicot-in-france-758730">Also read:&nbsp;'Drugged and raped for decades,' Hundreds gather in support of Gisele Pelicot in France</a>

<h2>What did the accused man tell court?</h2>

“Since I never obtained Mrs Pélicot’s consent, I have no choice but to accept the facts,” Lionel R, a fireman, told the court, admitting that the raped her on 2 December 2018.

“I am sorry, I can only imagine the nightmare you’ve lived through … and I am part of this nightmare," the father of three said, addressing Gisele.

"I know my apologies won’t change what happened, but I wanted to tell you that. If I had known she wasn’t aware ...I wouldn’t have gone there," The Guardian newspaper quoted him as saying.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/sexomnia-case-uk-woman-whose-rape-trial-was-dropped-over-rare-sleep-disorder-wins-huge-payout-750318">Also read:&nbsp;'Sexomnia' case: UK woman whose rape trial was dropped over rare sleep disorder wins huge payout</a>

“I should have checked that she was OK with it. I didn’t talk to her, so I could not get her consent. I feel guilty for what I did.

“I never told myself: ‘I will rape that woman'," he said while admitting he was guilty of rape.

Lionel said he didn't ask too many questions, while there were mentions about medical drugs either taken by the woman herself, or administered by the then husband.

“I never imagined that she might not be part of this game. That was my first huge error, he added.”

(With inputs from agencies)

One of the 50 men who are alleged to have taken part in the years-long drugging and raping of French woman Gisele Pelicot has admitted to his guilt, saying he was "part of this nightmare.

One of the 50 men who are alleged to have taken part in the years-long drugging and raping of French woman Gisele Pelicot has admitted to his guilt, saying he was "part of this nightmare." The man, identified in court documents as 44-year-old Lionel R, was speaking at the trial on a macabre case that shocked France. Apologising to Pelicot, he said in court on Thursday (Sep 19): "I have no choice but to accept the facts." What is the case about? Between 2011 and 2020, Pelicot was drugged by her now-former husband Dominique Pelicot into a 'deep coma' state. He then invited men to rape her in her bedroom in southern France. The accused, 50 men in total, are aged 26 to 74 and include a fireman, jailor, nurse and journalist. × Dominique Pelicot had earlier admitted to connecting with strangers on online chatrooms and inviting them to rape her. He told the court he was “a rapist”, while claiming that all the men knew they were raping his unconscious wife. Gisèle Pelicot wanted an open trial to raise awareness on use of drugs in rape and sexual abuse. Hundreds of women came out in support of her outside the court where the trial will continue into December. While some of the accused told the court they were told the woman was drugged and unconcious, some others said they thought they were part of a sex game oragnised by the husband. Also read: 'Drugged and raped for decades,' Hundreds gather in support of Gisele Pelicot in France What did the accused man tell court? “Since I never obtained Mrs Pélicot’s consent, I have no choice but to accept the facts,” Lionel R, a fireman, told the court, admitting that the raped her on 2 December 2018. “I am sorry, I can only imagine the nightmare you’ve lived through … and I am part of this nightmare," the father of three said, addressing Gisele. "I know my apologies won’t change what happened, but I wanted to tell you that. If I had known she wasn’t aware ...I wouldn’t have gone there," The Guardian newspaper quoted him as saying. Also read: 'Sexomnia' case: UK woman whose rape trial was dropped over rare sleep disorder wins huge payout “I should have checked that she was OK with it. I didn’t talk to her, so I could not get her consent. I feel guilty for what I did. “I never told myself: ‘I will rape that woman'," he said while admitting he was guilty of rape. Lionel said he didn't ask too many questions, while there were mentions about medical drugs either taken by the woman herself, or administered by the then husband. “I never imagined that she might not be part of this game. That was my first huge error, he added.” (With inputs from agencies)

France mass rape case: Accused man, a father of three, admits to sexual assault of Gisele Pelicot

Since September 2, Gisèle Pelicot has been at the center of a trial in which 51 men, including her 50-year-old husband, are accused of raping her. Her tale has spread across France since the trial began, and she has become a symbol of fortitude and resilience.

France: Mass rape shocks nation, support pours in for survivor Gisele

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France mass rape trial: Dominique Pelicot found guilty, sentenced to 20 years in prison

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France mass rape case: Accused man, a father of three, admits to sexual assault of Gisele Pelicot

France: Mass rape shocks nation, support pours in for survivor Gisele