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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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

Trigger warning: Some readers may find the details in this report disturbing. Discretion is advised.

The trial of one of the ugliest rape cases in the history of France came to a significant turn when the husband, who has been accused of drugging his wife and inviting dozens of strangers to rape her, admitted his crimes in court.&nbsp;

"I am a rapist, like everyone else in this courtroom," said the 71-year-old Dominique Pélicot as he spoke about his crimes on Tuesday&nbsp;(September 17) morning.

"I recognise the facts in their totality," he added.

After remaining sick for a week, the white-haired grandfather finally appeared at the Vaucluse Criminal Court in Avignon.&nbsp;

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/drugged-and-raped-for-decades-hundreds-gather-in-support-of-gisele-pelicot-in-france-758730">'Drugged and raped for decades,' Hundreds gather in support of Gisele Pelicot in France</a>

He has been on trial along with 50 other men who are facing the accusation of ‘aggravated rape’ of his wife Gisèle Pélicot.&nbsp;

The&nbsp;71-year-old also accepted the crimes speaking about which his own daughter called him "one of the greatest sexual predators" in recent years.

"Today, I maintain that, with the obligations we all have, I am a rapist, like everyone in this room. They cannot say otherwise," he said.&nbsp;

<h2>Husband speaks of alleged crimes he suffered as a child</h2>

Dominique spoke about the alleged crimes he had suffered as a child. The 71-year-old&nbsp;revealed that he was raped as a nine-year-old and had witnessed another sex attack at the age of 14.

"I remember nothing from my youth but shocks and traumas," Pélicot said.&nbsp;

He said that everything changed when he met his wife in his teen years.&nbsp;

Watch:&nbsp;France: Mass rape shocks nation, support pours in for survivor Gisele

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"I was very happy with her," Dominique&nbsp;said, adding that his wife was totally opposite of her mother, who was very rebellious.&nbsp;

"We had three children, and grandchildren, whom I never touched. I am accused of many things. We are not born perverts, we become them. Even if it is paradoxical, I have never considered my wife as an object," the accused&nbsp;said.&nbsp;

Reacting to the dramatic confession of her husband in the court, Gisèle said, "For me, it is difficult to hear it. For fifty years, I lived with a man who I would never have imagined for a single second that he could do these acts. I had complete confidence in this man."&nbsp;

Dominique pleaded for sympathy from the court and said, "I am guilty of what I did. I subjected my wife, my children, my grandchildren to this. I regret what I did. I ask for forgiveness even if it is not forgivable."

He added that his wife "did not deserve this."&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

Trigger warning: Some readers may find the details in this report disturbing. Discretion is advised. The trial of one of the ugliest rape cases in the history of France came to a significant turn when the husband, who has been accused of drugging his wife and inviting dozens of strangers to rape her, admitted his crimes in court.

Trigger warning: Some readers may find the details in this report disturbing. Discretion is advised. The trial of one of the ugliest rape cases in the history of France came to a significant turn when the husband, who has been accused of drugging his wife and inviting dozens of strangers to rape her, admitted his crimes in court. "I am a rapist, like everyone else in this courtroom," said the 71-year-old Dominique Pélicot as he spoke about his crimes on Tuesday (September 17) morning. "I recognise the facts in their totality," he added. After remaining sick for a week, the white-haired grandfather finally appeared at the Vaucluse Criminal Court in Avignon. Also Read: 'Drugged and raped for decades,' Hundreds gather in support of Gisele Pelicot in France He has been on trial along with 50 other men who are facing the accusation of ‘aggravated rape’ of his wife Gisèle Pélicot. The 71-year-old also accepted the crimes speaking about which his own daughter called him "one of the greatest sexual predators" in recent years. "Today, I maintain that, with the obligations we all have, I am a rapist, like everyone in this room. They cannot say otherwise," he said. Husband speaks of alleged crimes he suffered as a child Dominique spoke about the alleged crimes he had suffered as a child. The 71-year-old revealed that he was raped as a nine-year-old and had witnessed another sex attack at the age of 14. "I remember nothing from my youth but shocks and traumas," Pélicot said. He said that everything changed when he met his wife in his teen years. Watch: France: Mass rape shocks nation, support pours in for survivor Gisele "I was very happy with her," Dominique said, adding that his wife was totally opposite of her mother, who was very rebellious. "We had three children, and grandchildren, whom I never touched. I am accused of many things. We are not born perverts, we become them. Even if it is paradoxical, I have never considered my wife as an object," the accused said. Reacting to the dramatic confession of her husband in the court, Gisèle said, "For me, it is difficult to hear it. For fifty years, I lived with a man who I would never have imagined for a single second that he could do these acts. I had complete confidence in this man." Dominique pleaded for sympathy from the court and said, "I am guilty of what I did. I subjected my wife, my children, my grandchildren to this. I regret what I did. I ask for forgiveness even if it is not forgivable." He added that his wife "did not deserve this." (With inputs from agencies)

'I am a rapist': Husband makes shocking confession after allowing dozens of strangers to rape his wife

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

'I am a rapist': Husband makes shocking confession after allowing dozens of strangers to rape his wife