Adebayo Adenrele
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 disclosed why he committed such offense.
Pelicot admitted to all the charges against him in his first testimony since the trial opened on 2 September.
Speaking during the Avignon trial in France, he said his action emanated from his childhood trauma, when a female nurse sexually abused him when he was just 9 years old.
He however, stated that his ex wife did not deserve what was done to her, adding that he was very happy with her.
When asked about his marriage to Gisèle, 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”.