He has received the maximum sentence in France
Dominique Pelicot, a man who repeatedly drugged his wife and invited strangers to rape her, has been sentenced to 20 years in prison after a historic trial.
The 72-year-old had confessed to all charges and admitted he mixed sedatives into the food and drink of his wife, Gisele.
He is one of 51 men who were on trial for participating in the attacks against his wife.
All 51 defendants were found guilty of at least one offence, with nearly all convicted of rape.
Dominique Pelicot previously told the court during his trial: “I am a rapist just like all the others in this room.”
His 71-year-old ex-wife Gisele waived her right to anonymity and insisted the trial was held in public.
The court was also shown the explicit videos of the rape recorded by her husband.
Explaining her decision, Gisele said: “It’s not for us to have shame, it’s for them.”
Women across the world have shown solidarity for Gisele as mass protests against sexual violence swept across Europe.
Women flocked to the courthouse in Avignon to show their support for Gisele and held up signs which read: “Gisele: Women thank you.”
Gisele arrived at court this morning smiling and is set to make a statement after the verdicts have been delivered.
The pelicots were married for 50 years and had three children.
They lived a largely normal life until 2020 when Dominique was arrested for filming up women’s skirts in a supermarket.
After police searched the couple’s house and electronic devices, they found thousands of photos and videos of men engaging in sexual acts with Gisele while she was unconscious.
Gisele was so heavily drugged she had no recollection of being attacked and was informed by the police what had happened to her.
She told the court the men had treated her like ‘a rag doll, like a rubbish bag’.
The hard drive also contained naked images of their eldest daughter although Dominique denied ever abusing her.
The trial has sparked a debate in France over whether the country should update its rape law which currently does not require sex to involve consent.
Instead, prosecutors must prove a perpetrator’s intent to rape using ‘violence, coercion, threat or surprise’.
More to follow.
