‘Beast of Avignon’ rapist who got 72 men to attack drugged wife makes chilling confession as he FINALLY takes the stand
THE twisted pensioner dubbed the 'Monster of Avignon' today admitted drugging his wife and recruiting men to rape her in a chilling confession in court.
After dodging giving evidence in court due to ill health, Dominique Pelicot, 71, finally took the stand at the Vaucluse Criminal Court, in Avignon.
Speaking for the first time about his crimes, the grandfather said "I am a rapist, like everyone else in this courtroom."
Pelicot, who is on trial alongside 50 other men charged with "aggravated rape" of his wife Gisele, shuffled into court using a cane to support himself.
He said: "Today, I maintain that, with the obligations we all have, I am a rapist, like everyone in this room. They cannot say otherwise."
Speaking about his -now-ex-wife- Pelicot said he "was very happy with her" and admitted she "did not deserve this."
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"We had three children, and grandchildren, whom I never touched," he added.
He continued: "I am accused of many things. We are not born perverts, we become them.
"Even if it is paradoxical, I have never considered my wife as an object."
In a dramatic twist, Gisele was given permission to react to her ex-husband's words.
She told the court: "For me, it is difficult to hear it. For fifty years, I lived with a man who I would never have imagined for a single second that he could do these acts. I had complete confidence in this man."
In response Pélicot pleaded for sympathy, saying: ‘I am guilty of what I did.
"I subjected my wife, my children, my grandchildren to this. I regret what I did. I ask for forgiveness even if it is not forgivable."
He is facing a jail sentence of up to 20 years, along with all the other defendants.
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