The 71-year-old man accused of drugging his wife to sleep and recruiting dozens of men to abuse her for over 10 years, Dominique Pelicot, has admitted to being a rapist, Edum News reports.
Pelicot admitted to all the charges against him in his first testimony since the trial opened on 2 September.
He stated that he is a rapist like the 50 co-defendants who are accused of raping his now ex-wife Gisèle.
He however, stated that his ex wife did not deserve what was done to her, adding that he was very happy with her.
Mr Pelicot, who is a father and grandfather, began his testimony by telling the court of traumatic childhood experiences and said he was abused by a male nurse when he was nine years old.
When asked about his marriage to Gisèle, Mr Pelicot said he considered suicide when he found out she was having an affair. He said he wanted to crash his car into a row of trees, but lacked the courage. “Maybe I should have,” he added.
Mr Pelicot who stood trial on Tuesday, was also accused of drugging and abusing his daughter, Caroline, after semi-naked photos of her were found of his laptop, but denied the allegation.
His ex wife, Gisèle, who was given the chance to respond shortly after, said: “It is difficult for me to listen to this. For 50 years, I lived with a man who I would’ve never imagined could be capable of this. I trusted him completely.”
Written by Hope James
