’50 Shades of Gray rapist who attacked victims during BDSM sessions, including one who was beaten with a riding crop while attached to a ‘spreader bar’ after being ‘inspired’ by the film’, goes on trial in France

A man who allegedly raped victims during BDSM sessions inspired by the 50 Shades of Gray films will stand trial in France for two weeks from today.

Mauritius-born Ange Bauda, ​​31, will appear before the Vosges Assize Court in Épinal accused of rape, heavy sexual touching and violence against three women – charges he denies, claiming his alleged victims are jealous.

Prosecutors say Bauda considered himself a real-life Christian Gray – the mysterious billionaire businessman and BDSM enthusiast from the 50 Shades of Gray books, which were adapted into a series of films starting in 2015.

In the novels, Gray invites main character Ana Steele to his BDSM playroom and ultimately introduces her to the world of sexual dominance and submission.

Bauda is said to have been inspired by the films, but his accusers say his actions were far more sinister than Gray’s – and in one case he allegedly hit a woman with a riding crop while she was wearing a ‘riding crop’. spreader bar’.

In the novels – by EL James – Gray invites main character Ana Steele into his BDSM ‘playroom’ and ultimately introduces her to the world of sexual dominance and submission

According to reports in France, Bauda was arrested in May 2019 after he himself filed a complaint about one of the numerous women with whom he had sexual relations.

At the time, he told investigators that he had been practicing dominance for about two years, using equipment such as sex toys, handcuffs, masks, whips, cords and belts – all of which were found during a search of his home.

According to dating websites through which Bauda allegedly found women, he worked for an electronics store in Epinal, sometimes presenting himself as deputy director, manager or building manager.

He is reported about his dating profiles by the French newspaper Le Parisien to have boasted: ‘I strike, none of them resists me.’

Between 2015 and 2019, researchers tracked down women who crossed paths with Bauda – who, according to Le Parisien, saw himself as a ‘handsome man’ and a ‘sex animal’.

In total, police interviewed 43 women who were in relationships with Bauda – ranging from a single evening to several years, the publication said.

Many described him as a ‘seducer’, ‘manipulator’, ‘liar’ and ‘stalker’ – and as someone who did not hesitate to blackmail women with a sex tape if they dared to refuse him or end their relationship.

For seven of the women, their erotic encounters with Bauda are said to have turned into a nightmare – either for a single night or for a longer relationship.

One of them said she had to ‘shower 25 times’ after being raped by the man.

Another recalls a humiliating and violent encounter in a highway parking lot.

However, only three plaintiffs have become plaintiffs in a civil suit against Bauda, ​​including a former partner who denounced violence during their relationship.

During the trial, lawyers for the alleged victims will try to demonstrate that Bauda cannot distinguish between sexual play and the lack of consent.

Le Parisien reports that Bauda justifies his actions by calling them “games,” which he and the complainants have agreed to.

However, lawyers are expected to argue that he did not care whether he wanted to ‘punish’ his partners.

Even if they didn’t sign a “submission contract” with him — as was the case with some of the women the investigators spoke to — he would have been abusive.

Dakota Johnson (left) and Jamie Dornan star in 50 Shades of Gray, released in 2015

They say he set the rules for their encounters and disregarded the safeguards typically put in place by consenting adults who participate in BDSM.

In one case, he is accused of telling an alleged victim, “You can shove your code up your ass, ’cause I’ll do whatever I want from you,” as she was held down by a “spreader bar” while he beat her . with a riding crop, reports Le Parisien.

Police and prosecutors are said to have found 2,182 videos and 40,000 messages on Bauda’s mobile phone during the trial.

Since being placed in pre-trial detention in Nancy-Maxéville prison, he has consistently denied any wrongdoing.