Featured Image Credit: CLEMENT MAHOUDEAU/AFP via Getty Images/Julien Goldstein/Getty Images
Topics: World News, Crime, True Crime
Olivia Burke
Topics: World News, Crime, True Crime
The disgraced former husband of Gisèle Pelicot has today (19 December) been jailed for 20 years.
Dominique Pelicot, 71, had pleaded guilty to repeatedly drugging his wife and inviting strangers to rape her over a span of almost a decade.
He stood in the dock alongside another 50 defendants on charges of aggravated rape and sexual assault at a court in Avignon, France.
Following the harrowing mass rape trial which has shocked the world, a panel of five judges today delivered verdicts for the more than four dozen men in the dock.
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Prosecutors were seeking the maximum punishment of 20 years in jail for Pelicot and between four and 18 years for the other men who abused an unconscious Gisèle.
The courageous abuse survivor, who waived her right to anonymity, was seen resting her head on the wall of the courtroom as the judges handed down a two decade sentence to her former spouse.
Pelicot was seen in tears as he heard his fate, as officials also found him guilty of making and distributing images of a sexual nature of his daughter and two daughters-in-law.
He had been married to Gisèle for five decades before his sick crimes began around ten years ago.
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Pelicot started drugging his spouse and confessed that he hid tranquillisers in her food and drink to knock her out.
He would then invite strangers who he found in online chatrooms around to their home to have sex with her.
Most of these men were considered to be respected figures in their communities - who worked as firefighters, lorry drivers, soldiers and security guards.
Chillingly, most of the attackers came from areas within a 30-mile radius of the village where Gisèle lived, Mazan.
Pelicot filmed the sick assaults, while Gisèle had no idea that she was being attacked.
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He admitted: "I am a rapist. I acknowledge all the facts [of the case] in their entirety."
The men were not instructed to wear condoms and Gisèle contracted four sexually transmitted infections due to the abuse.
Incredibly, the 72-year-old somehow found the strength to confront her abusers head on,.
Gisèle bravely waived her right to anonymity and decided to put the shame back onto the perpetrators.
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"I’ve decided not to be ashamed - I’ve done nothing wrong,” she said in court. "They [the rapists] are the ones who must be ashamed.
“I’m not expressing hatred or hate, but I am determined that things change in this society.
"It’s not courage. It’s determination to change things. This is not just my battle, but that of all rape victims."
All 51 men were found guilty of charges of attacking Gisèle - 47 were found guilty of rape, two were found guilty of attempted rape and two were found guilty of sexual assault.
Five of the men will walk free from court later today due to the time they have already served behind bars, while others were given suspended sentences.
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Presiding Judge Roger Arata also told the court, as per CNN: "Several of the convicted men will not be taking to prison immediately because of their health.
"A few more days of freedom while we find a suitable prison."
A number of the convicted men who visited the Pelicot household numerous times were slapped with large sentences.
Romain V., who attended the property on six occasions, was given 15 years, while Charly A., who also visited six times, was locked up for 13 years.
The defendants each have ten days to appeal their sentence.
Pelicot's lawyer said he is considering lodging one, according to Reuters.
If you have been affected by any of the issues in this article and wish to speak to someone in confidence, contact The Survivors Trust for free on 08088 010 818, available 10am-12.30pm, 1.30pm-3pm and 6pm-8pm Monday to Thursday, 10am-12.30pm and 1.30pm-3pm on Fridays, 10am-12.30pm on Saturdays and 6pm-8pm on Sundays.