Warning: this article discusses rape and sexual assault which some readers may find distressing.
Dominique Pélicot, husband of Gisèle Pélicot, has admitted in court to drugging and raping her for over a decade as well as recruiting several other men to rape her while she was unconscious.
The landmark case has scandalised France and - as a result of Gisèle waiving her right to anonymity - shocked the globe.
In court today (17 September), Dominique, 71, admitted to all charges against him and alleged that the 50 co-defendants in the case, who are accused of raping Gisèle, 72, against her knowledge as she was so heavily sedated, committed the same heinous act.
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In his first testimony, Dominique told the court: "I am a rapist like the others in this room.
"They all knew, they cannot say the contrary."
The ex-electrician then referenced Gisèle, saying: "She did not deserve this.
"I was very happy with her."
When given the opportunity to respond, Gisèle said: "It is difficult for me to listen to this. For 50 years, I lived with a man who I would've never imagined could be capable of this. I trusted him completely."
Dominique's unthinkable crimes against his spouse were uncovered in 2020, following an arrest for filming underneath women's skirts in a supermarket - also known as 'upskirting'.
Police then seized Dominique's devices, including his computer, and found a file called 'abuses' which featured over 20,000 images of Gisèle, dating back to 2011.
Over a 10-year period, Dominique is accused of having recruited at least 72 other men to rape his wife - who was reportedly put into a coma-like state by her husband - on an online chatroom.
With 50 in court due to stand trial, 22 further suspects were unable to be identified by police at the time of writing. One man is being judged in absentia.
The job titles of the men facing charges include a local councillor, nurses, a journalist, a former police officer, a prison guard, soldier, firefighter and civil servant.
Over a dozen of the men have admitted the charges.
Speaking at trial, Gisèle said: "They regarded me like a rag doll, like a garbage bag.
“When you see that woman drugged, mistreated, a dead person on a bed - of course the body is not cold, it’s warm, but it’s as if I’m dead."
It is alleged that the men were ordered to wash their hands and avoid wearing aftershave or smoke tobacco so she would not sense that they were strangers.
Gisèle suffered a number of gynaecological problems and her memory loss as a result of the drugs led her to believe she was suffering from Alzheimers.
One of Gisèle's lawyers, Stéphane Babonneau, said: "One morning she woke in a panic with a new haircut without understanding how this was possible. She went to her hairdresser, who told her she had been in the previous day."
Of her decision to waive her right to anonymity, Gisèle said she 'strives for complete publicity' until the end of the trial, which is due to last until December.
As the trial began, her attorney Stephane Babonneau said: "It's a way of saying shame must change sides."
If you have been affected by any of the issues in this article and wish to speak to someone in confidence, contact the Rape Crisis England and Wales helpline on 0808 500 222, available 24/7. If you are currently in danger or need urgent medical attention, you should call 999.
Topics: News, World News, Crime
Kya Buller