Gisèle Pelicot rape trial latest: Security guard who caught Dominique says he saw ‘fear in his eyes’
Ms Pelicot’s ex-husband Dominique Pelicot admitted to drugging and raping her for almost a decade
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The security guard who caught Dominique Pelicot upskirting women at a supermarket, which led to the discovery of his heinous crimes, has recalled the “terror” and “fear” in his eyes.
Thibaut Rey, 38, spotted the serial rapist taking images of three women at the LeClerc shopping centre and confronted him, holding his phone until police arrived to make their arrest.
“Pelicot didn’t resist. He froze with terror. I saw the fear in his eyes,” he said.
French President Emmanuel Macron has praised Pelicot’s wife and mass rape victim Gisèle for her dignity and courage which has “moved and inspired France and around the world”.
It comes as her children condemn the “low” sentences in France’s most shocking rape case which saw 51 men convicted for a total of 428 years.
Ex-husband Dominique Pelicot wept as he was convicted and jailed for the maximum term of 20 years, after he admitted he drugged his wife so he and strangers could abuse her while he filmed it.
‘Mr Everyman’: Who are the 51 men who sexually abused Gisèle Pelicot?
Every word of Gisele Pelicot’s statement outside courtroom where 51 men were sentenced for abusing her- As her husband is jailed for his heinous crimes, we must ask: how many more Gisèle Pelicots are there?
Where are all the men horrified by Gisele Pelicot’s rape trial?
Gisèle's children condemn 'low' sentences of their mother's abusers
The children of Dominique Pelicot believe the verdicts handed down to the guilty men in the case were too mild, a family member told Agence France-Presse (AFP).
“The children are disappointed by these low sentences,” said the family member, asking not be identified, after a court in Avignon sentenced Dominique Pelicot’s co-defendants to between three and 15 years in jail, with two of the sentences suspended.
Coco: The anonymous chat site dubbed the ‘den of predators’ that enabled the mass rape of Gisèle Pelicot
Coco: The chat site that enabled the mass rape of Gisèle Pelicot
Giséle Pelicot’s husband used a pseudonym on the now-banned chatroom to invite strangers to his home to rape her
‘Mr Everyman’: Who are the 51 men who sexually abused Gisèle Pelicot?
‘Mr Everyman’: Who are the 51 men who sexually abused Gisèle Pelicot?
The abusers and rapists - ranging from their 20s to the their 70s - have been dubbed ‘The Everyman’
Court sketch shows Gisèle Pelicot after trail
‘You’ll die like a dog’: Dominique Pelicot’s daughter screams at him as rapist claims he never abused her
Dominique Pelicot’s daughter screams that he ‘will die alone like a dog’
Dominique Pelicot refuses to admit that he drugged his then-20-year-old daughter Caroline Dorian despite being found guilty at trial
Scholz praised Gisèle Pelicot
German chancellor Olaf Scholz has praised the courage of Gisèle Pelicot after her former husband and 50 accomplices were charged for her rape.
“The shame must change sides. Thank you, Gisele Pelicot! You courageously went from anonymity to a public figure and fought for justice. You gave women around the world a strong voice. The shame always lies with the perpetrator,” he said.
How Gisèle Pelicot shamed ‘Mr Everyman’ during the rape trial which shocked the world
How Gisèle Pelicot shamed ‘Mr Everyman’ during the rape trial which shocked the world
The 72-year-old’s simple message - that she and other victims of sexual abuse have no reason to feel ashamed - has inspired conversations about rape culture in France and across the globe, Crime Correspondent Amy-Clare Martin writes
Gisèle Pelicot mobbed by supporters as she leaves court after mass rape trial verdict
Gisèle Pelicot mobbed by supporters as she leaves court after mass rape trial verdict
Gisèle Pelicot was swarmed by supporters as she left court after her ex-husband was jailed after being found guilty of orchestrating her horrific rape. Dominique Pelicot was sentenced to 20 years in France’s worst-ever mass rape trial, which saw 51 men convicted for a total of 428 years today (19 December), in a case which has shocked the world. Gisèle defiantly said she has “never regretted” publicly attending her rape trial, and explained that she chose to waive her right to anonymity “to ensure that society could see what was happening.”
Donald Trump? No. Gisèle Pelicot is the real Person of the Year
Donald Trump? No. Gisèle Pelicot is the real Person of the Year
It is a case that has shocked the world, but the incredible woman at the heart of it has revealed uncomfortable truths, says Laura Bates. Her bravery has forced us to recognise that men commit violence against women every single day and that such violence is not committed by 'monsters', but by normal seeming men
ICYMI: Crowd outside court chant 'Shame on the justice system’
Crowds outside the court were chanting “shame on the justice system” as some of the sentences were read out.
There is dismay among many outside the court on the length of some of the sentences - which are mostly shorter than prosecutors had demanded.
Prosecutors had demanded sentences of 652 years, but judges issued total sentences of 428 years.
Christelle Vidaller, 35, has been waiting outside the court since 9am. She told Reuters news agency that she was disappointed with the sentences.
“It’s a historical trial, we were expecting historical sentences,” she told Reuters.