Dominique Pelicot gives evidence in the case that has shocked France and tells the court in Avignon his former wife Gisele "did not deserve this". A man accused of drugging his wife and letting at least 50 men rape her while she was sedated has told a French court: "I am a rapist.
Dominique Pelicot appeared in court in Avignon, southeast France, as he gave evidence in the case that has shocked the country. According to local media, the year-old defendant told the hearing: "I admit to the charges in their entirety.
While he previously confessed to investigators, his court testimony will be crucial for the panel of judges to decide on the fate of some 50 other men standing trial alongside him. Many deny having raped Gisele Pelicot, saying they were manipulated by her then-husband or claiming they believed she was consenting.
Pelicot is said to have cleaned his wife's body after the attacks and given the men orders so she would not wake, including warming their hands, not wearing aftershave or smelling of cigarette smoke. The couple had been married for decades and have three children, but Pelicot was allegedly putting a powerful drug in his wife's food to knock her out prior to the attacks. The defendant, whose appearance was delayed due to health issues, told the court that his now ex-wife "did not deserve this".
Ms Pelicot - who has waived her right to anonymity - listened attentively to her ex-husband as he spoke, looking at him. I had complete confidence in this man. Read more: Gisele Pelicot tells court of 'scenes of barbarity'. Keep up with all the latest news from the UK and around the world by following Sky News. Pelicot faces charges including rape, gang rape and various privacy breaches by recording and disseminating sexual images. In , a security agent caught him filming videos under women's skirts in a supermarket, according to court documents.
