Dominique Pelicot has been jailed for 20 years after drugging his ex-wife Gisèle, raping her and inviting dozens of strangers to also abuse her over nearly a decade.
The 72-year-old was found guilty of all charges by a judge in Avignon, southern France, and cried in court as he was sentenced to the maximum term.
He was on trial with 50 other men – all of whom were found guilty of at least one charge, although their jail terms were less than what prosecutors had demanded.
The convictions bring to an end France’s largest ever rape trial, which over the course of three months has shocked the country and the world.
Speaking outside court following the verdicts, Gisèle Pelicot, 72, said the trial had been a “very difficult ordeal”.
But she said she “never regretted” the decision to make the trial public “so society could see what was happening”.
Gisèle Pelicot’s decision to waive her automatic right to anonymity was highly unusual, and meant this trial has been held in full view of the public.
She attended almost every day of the trial, appearing in the same courtroom as her husband of 50 years, who she has now divorced.
Gisèle also gave her “profound” thanks to her supporters and said she had “confidence” in there being a “better future” where men and women can live in mutual respect.
In court on Thursday, Dominique Pelicot – who had already confessed to his crimes – was found guilty of aggravated rape.
He was also found guilty of the attempted aggravated rape of the wife of one of his co-accused, Jean-Pierre Marechal.
Marechal followed Dominique’s lead and drugged and raped his own wife and invited other men to rape her, and was jailed for 12 years.
Dominique Pelicot was also found guilty of taking indecent images of his daughter, Caroline Darian, and his daughters-in-law, Aurore and Celine.
Caroline – who was in court on Thursday – previously told the trial she felt she was the “forgotten victim” as, unlike her mother’s case, there was no record of the abuse she is convinced was inflicted on her. Dominique denied drugging and abusing his daughter.
After the verdicts, Dominique’s lawyer said her client was “somewhat dazed” by his sentence and would consider whether to appeal. He has 10 days to decide whether to do so.
Of the 50 co-defendants, 46 were found guilty of rape, two guilty of attempted rape, and two guilty of sexual assault.
Most of the men on trial had denied that what they did was rape.
They argued they did not realise Gisèle Pelicot was unconscious and therefore did not “know” they were raping her – an argument which sparked a nationwide discussion about France’s legal definition of rape.
Their jail terms range from between three and 15 years – less than what prosecutors had demanded.
In a statement to AFP news agency, the Pelicot children said they were “disappointed” by the “low sentences”.
