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French court sentences paedophile surgeon to 20 years for extensive sexual abuse

Wednesday 28 May 2025 - 13:33

A French court sentenced retired surgeon Joël Le Scouarnec to 20 years in prison on Wednesday, following his admission of sexually abusing hundreds of patients over more than two decades. This case ranks among the largest child sexual abuse scandals in France.

Le Scouarnec, 74, was already serving a 15-year sentence from 2020 for raping and assaulting four children, including two nieces. The latest trial, which began in February, revealed that he abused or raped 299 patients—256 under the age of 15—at hospitals in western France from 1989 to 2014. Many of these assaults occurred while patients were under anesthesia or recovering from surgery.

He faced charges of 111 rapes and 189 sexual assaults, making him one of France's most prolific convicted sex offenders. Around 60 lawyers represented the victims, who criticized systemic failures that allowed his abuse to continue for years.

Prosecutor Stephane Kellenberger sought the maximum sentence and requested that Le Scouarnec remain in a treatment and supervision center even after serving his prison term.

In his closing remarks, Le Scouarnec acknowledged his crimes and sought a chance to improve, calling himself a "major pervert" and a "paedophile" in his personal notes. He also expressed a sense of responsibility for the deaths of two victims.

Despite his apologies during the trial, many victims doubted his sincerity, with lawyers describing him as an unprecedented mass paedophile. The trial has left some victims' groups frustrated, as it did not receive the same national attention as other high-profile abuse cases in France.

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