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Who is Dominique Pelicot? ‘Beast of Avignon’ who got 72 men to rape ex-wife Gisele
The case has shocked the world, as Dominique Pelicot made a chilling revelation
DOMINIQUE Pelicot has been dubbed one of the worst sexual predators in French history, after he allegedly recruited dozens of men to rape his then-wife Gisele Pelicot.
His alleged crime will be examined in the Channel 5 documentary The Pelicot Rape Case: A Town on Trial.
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Pelicot’s gruesome crime
Pelicot (aged 72 as of December 2024) has been accused of drugging his wife so he and countless strangers could assault her.
He is alleged to have given anti-anxiety medication to his wife for a decade, from 2011 until 2020.
Whilst she was unconscious, it is claimed that he would rape her and recruit other men online to do the same.
To the public, Pelicot would claim to be a “good husband” to Gisele, whom he married in 1971, and a good father to his three children.
Read more on the shocking case
However, his daughter Caroline Darian took to the stand and described her father as one of the “greatest sexual predators” in recent years.
She had been secretly photographed in the nude by her father, as were her two sisters-in-law.
Pelicot was first arrested in September 2020 for secretly filming up women’s skirts at a supermarket in Carpentras.
His devices were searched, and there were hundreds of photos, as well as pornographic videos of women.
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While in custody, Mr Pelicot reported a hard drive, hidden under a printer containing a file called "Abuses".
Pelicot’s chilling admission
In court, Pelicot said: “I am a rapist, like the others in this room.”
‘Beast of Avignon’s’ brave victim Dominique Pelicot sees 27 sick images of her own rape as they’re shown to hushed court_2
Detectives have listed a total of 92 rapes committed by 72 men, 51 have been identified.
Speaking for the first time in court in the regional capital of Avignon, he said: “I am guilty of what I did – I say to my wife, my children, my grandchildren.
“I regret what I’ve done and I ask for forgiveness, even if it’s unforgivable.”
He added: “She [Gisele Pelicot] did not deserve this.”
Pelicot has alleged that he suffered abuse in his childhood and claimed that he was forced to watch the gang rape of a woman at the age of 14, while working as a building site apprentice.
The pensioner added: “You are not born a pervert, you become one.”
The court also heard how another man, named Jean-Pierre, was allegedly taught by Pelicot how to drug and assault his wife.
Jean-Pierre is not one of the men on trial.
It is alleged that Pelicot provided the man with sedatives to give to his wife, before travelling to assault her himself.
It was alleged that Jean-Pierre's wife was raped 12 times between 2015 and 2020.
Investigator Stéphan Gal told the court: "Each time that [Pelicot] travelled [there], he provided him with the medication for the next time."
Jean-Pierre's 32-year-old son from a previous marriage said: "I have the firm conviction that had he not met this person, there would never have been any of this."
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Facing justice in court
Gisele Pelicot chose to waive her right to anonymity, allowing the full details of the case to be made public.
Her incredible bravery has rallied thousands of people to support her though Gisele says that she wasn’t looking to create a national conversation.
Instead her choice to have an open courtroom was so that she wouldn’t be stuck in a room with her alleged abuser.
However, she started to receive messages from crowds of people who supported her.
Her lawyer, Stéphane Babonneau, said: "When she started receiving these letters, she felt some kind of responsibility for victims who had suffered similar things."
If Pelicot is found guilty, he could face up to twenty years in prison.
The Pelicot Rape Case: A Town on Trial
The Pelicot Rape Case: A Town on Trial is a documentary special which will examine the horrifying case.
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The episode will air on Wednesday December 11, 2024, at 9pm.
Anyone who misses the broadcast can catch up on My5.
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