20 years' jail for man who invited strangers to rape drugged wife

French court finds his 50 co-defendants also guilty of sexual offences against her

- REUTERS, AFP

AVIGNON, France - A French court found Dominique Pelicot guilty on Dec 19 of repeatedly drugging and raping his wife for almost a decade, and inviting dozens of strangers to rape her unconscious body in a case that horrified the world.

All the Frenchman's 50 co-defendants were also found guilty of rape, attempted rape or sexual assault, while their victim, Ms Gisele Pelicot, sat in the packed courtroom to hear the sentencing, having waived her right to anonymity.

Ms Pelicot, 72, has become a stirring symbol of female courage and resilience during the three-month trial, and her supporters outside the courthouse in the southern city of Avignon cheered as news of the guilty verdicts filtered out.

"This trial was a very difficult ordeal," she said at the end of the sentencing, adding that she did not regret her decision to let the case be heard in public.

"I now have confidence in our ability to collectively seize a future in which each woman and man can live in harmony with respect and mutual understanding. I thank you," she said.

Dominique Pelicot, who was married to his ex-wife for 50 years, had pleaded guilty to the charges, and a five-judge panel sentenced him to the maximum 20 years in jail, as sought by prosecutors.