A retired surgeon accused of raping and sexually assaulting hundreds of young patients, some while they were under anesthetic, told the opening of his trial in western France on Monday that he had committed “despicable” acts.
Joel Le Scouarnec, 74, faces charges of aggravated rape and sexual assault against 299 victims, most of them children at the time, in a case that raises uncomfortable questions for France’s publicly run healthcare system, victims and rights groups say.
Wearing a black jacket and glasses, he spoke in a steady voice to confirm his name, date of birth and other personal information in the small provincial court room. A number of his alleged victims followed proceedings from a nearby building.
“I have committed despicable acts,” Le Scouarnec told the court. “I’m aware that the harm I’ve caused is beyond repair.”
“I owe it to all these people and their loved ones to admit my actions and their consequences, which they’ve endured and will keep having to endure all their lives.”
In what is considered France’s worst case of pedocriminality to go to trial, Le Scouarnec’s alleged abuse of patients spanned 25 years, from 1989 to 2014.
The trial comes at a time of reckoning around sex crimes in France after the conviction of Dominique Pelicot, who was found guilty in December of drugging his wife and inviting dozens of men over to their home to rape her.
Already serving jail time for earlier rape convictions, Le Scouarnec faces up to 20 years in jail if found guilty. The two sentences would run concurrently.
“My clients don’t expect anything from Le Scouarnec. In France, whether you rape one child or 300, it’s the same sentence,” Marie Grimaud, a lawyer representing some of Le Scouarnec’s alleged victims, told reporters before the hearing.
SEXUAL ABUSE OF CHILDREN
Francois, a plaintiff in the case and who was 12 when Le Scouarnec allegedly abused him, said he felt betrayed by the authorities.
“Why did nobody stop this surgeon from working with children?” said Francois, who asked to be identified only by this name.
According to court documents, some members of staff at the health ministry were aware of the 2005 conviction. The ministry did not respond to requests for comment.
