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?
In pictures: Gisèle Pelicot leaves Avignon court for the final time
‘Merci Gisèle’ - crowds swarm as Ms Pelicot leaves court
Gisèle Pelicot has left the courtroom in Avignon, southern France.
Ms Pelicot appeared calm as she walked down the steps of the courthouse which she has visited almost every day since September, to hear the devastating details of crimes committed against her.
She held herself with dignity as she exited the courts and was swarmed by her supporters who have spent all morning singing, chanting and holding placards.
They shouted “merci Gisèle” and “bravo Gisèle”, before she departed for the final time in a grey car.
As she was driven away, emotional crowds sang songs including with the lyrics: “the women are enraged”.
Gisele Pelicot says she ‘never regretted’ waiving anonymity
Of her decision to waive her anonymity, Ms Pelicot said she “wanted to ensure that society could actually see what was happening and I never regretted this decision”.
She said she has “faith in our capacity to collectively take hold of our future”.
Ms Pelicot added that she respects the verdicts and sentences of the court.
Gisèle Pelicot speaks out after sentencing
Gisèle Pelicot has spoken with members of the press after 51 men were convicted todday in France’s largest mass rape case.
“I’m very emotional,” she says. “It’s with a lot of emotion that I’m here to make a statement. This case was a very difficult test for me and I’m thinking first and foremost of my three children.
“I’m thinking about all the other families affected by this case and the unrecognised victims in these stories that are often in the shadows - you share my struggle.”
She expresses “deepest gratitude” to those who supported her throughout the process. “This really gave me strength to come back day after day”.
Court sketches: Gisèle Pelicot listens to verdicts
Jean Tirano claims Dominique Pelicot sedated him before he raped Gisèle
Jean Tirano, a 52-year-old roofer originally from Reunion Island, claims he was acting under the influence of drugs when he raped Gisèle Pelicot.
He has been sentenced to eight years in prison after raping Ms Pelicot in September 2018.
After arriving at the house, Tirano claims Dominique Pelicot gave him a drink before asking him to undress. “And after that, I don’t remember anymore”, he told the court according to Liberation. “I found myself in the car, I don’t remember how I got there.”
He claims Pelicot had drugged him using the drink.
The video of his abuse shows his abrupt exit from the room after Ms Pelicot moves and a thumbs up to the camera. But Tirano claims he has no memory of this.
“No, I don’t remember... It would be good for the victim, for the truth. And to defend myself . Now I’m seen as a liar or an idiot.”
He didn’t go to the police as he feared having to explain what he had done to his wife, Tirano claimed. “I’m not the kind of person who looks for trouble,” he added.
‘The world is no longer the same thanks to you’ - president of National Assembly
The president of France’s National Assembly has issued words of support for Gisèle Pelicot.
She wrote on X: “Thank you for your courage Gisèle Pélicot. Through you, it is the voice of so many victims that carries today, the shame that changes sides, the taboo that is broken.
“The world is no longer the same thanks to you.”
Jean-Pierre Marechal: Dominique Pelicot imitator sentenced to 12 years
Jean-Pierre Marechal was found guilty of the attempted rape and aggravated rape of his own wife, and of drugging her.
Marechal was sentenced to 12 years in prison, after admitting to following Dominique Pelicot’s lead by drugging his own wife for five years.
He raped his wife, and invited Pelicot to rape her.
Marechard’s lawyer, Patrick Fontard, said his client would not be appealing the verdict, but that his client could be free in three years time.
Comment | Gisèle Pelicot’s daughter is dealing with unimaginable horror – as do all ‘forgotten victims’
By now, Gisèle Pelicot is a household name – for all the wrong and most tragic of reasons.
Since September – when she bravely waived anonymity and testified against her husband Dominique – horrific details of how he drugged her, raped her and facilitated her rape by at least 50 other men have slowly come to light.
She has faced her abusers throughout the trial in Avignon, France, attending almost every court date. She has spoken of how “broken” she is and how her decision to be named was to help shift the shame felt by victims of rape and place it rightly on the assailants’ shoulders.
“I am a woman who is totally destroyed, and I don’t know how I’m going to rebuild myself. I’m 72 soon and I’m not sure my life will be long enough to recover from this,” she said of the abuse that spanned nine years.
Emma Clarke writes: