Monster of Avignon rape trial threatens to COLLAPSE as judge rules suspect who drugged his wife so strangers could sexually abuse her is too ill to be in court until at least next week
- This story is in development, more to come
The trial in France of a retired electrician who drugged his wife and invited dozens of strangers to rape her threatened to collapse tonight after the judge announced that the defendant was so ill he could not appear in court until Monday at the earliest.
Dominique Pelicot has admitted giving his wife Gisele strong sedatives to render her unconscious and then smuggling men into their home in a village in Provence to attack her.
The 71-year-old’s testimony was postponed twice this week after he was rushed to hospital with a suspected bladder infection.
But this afternoon, Judge Roger Arata dramatically told the court that Pelicot’s health had deteriorated and he would not be fit to appear in court until Monday.
Judge Arata said: ‘Mr. Pelicot’s health has deteriorated.
Dominique Pelicot (pictured) is now on trial for a nearly decade-long campaign of drugging and sexually abusing his wife on camera – along with 50 other men he invited into the family home to take part in the horrific activities
‘He requires medical treatment and cannot attend court for the rest of this week.
“He will appear in court again on Monday at the earliest.”
Judge Arata told the court that the trial would continue for the rest of the day (Wednesday) and into tomorrow morning (Thursday) with evidence against other suspects.
Pelicot’s lawyer Beatrice Zavarro told the court that her client’s deteriorating health was exacerbated by the failure of prison staff to intervene when he first became unwell on Friday.
Judge Arata warned all parties involved – including the lawyers representing Madame Pelicot – that the case will likely be adjourned until Pelicot, the main suspect, is well enough to appear in court.
More to come.