Dominique Pelicot sentencing LIVE: Monster of Avignon rapist who urged 50 strangers to abuse his drugged wife faces 20-year prison term in French mass rape trial

The bravery of Pelicot’s victim wife, Gisele, in allowing her identity to be revealed around the world – and the dignity with which she conducted herself throughout the trial – has seen the case become a cause célèbre for campaigners against sexual violence.

Madame Pelicot has held her head high as she heard and watched films covertly taken by her husband of 50 years in which she was abused at least 90 times by strangers he had invited into their home.

Having waived her legal right to anonymity in order to ensure the case received the maximum amount of publicity, the 72-year-old grandmother refused to be shamed – but instead repeatedly directed any shame at her abusers.

As interest in the case grew, Madame Pelicot was clapped and cheered as she arrived at court and left at the end of the day.

Women who have travelled to the court to show their support have described her as a ‘figurehead of feminism’.

Graffiti honouring her bravery was daubed on Avignon’s medieval stone walls and protests in support of her erupted all over France.

Dominique Pelicot was born on November 27, 1952, in Quincy-sous-Senart, about 18 miles south of Paris.

As a teenager he obtained professional qualifications as an electrician and worked on construction sites in French provinces and the Paris region.

According to reports he attempted to run a business as a real estate agent and a telephone salesman but the ventures failed.

When he was 19 he met his future wife Gisele, with a court hearing he felt ‘love at first sight’.

The couple have three children: David, Caroline and Florian.The family lived in the Paris region but moved in the early 90s.

In 2020, the now retired Pelicot was arrested in a shopping centre after he was caught filming under the skirts of customers.

A search of his devices uncovered hundreds of photos and pornographic videos of women, including family members, but while he was in custody Pelicot disclosed details of a hidden hard drive which contained a file called ‘Abuses’.

It classified the nickname and telephone numbers of attackers, together with some 3,800 photos and videos of Gisèle Pélicot being raped, between 2011 and 2020.

Detectives have listed a total of 92 rapes committed by 72 men, 51 of whom have been identified.

In September, Pelicot admitted to all charges against him in his first testimony, telling the court his now ex-wife, ‘did not deserve this.’

Some 180 journalists from across France and the world queued outside the Avignon Criminal Court before dawn this morning to hear the verdicts delivered against ‘Monster’ Dominique Pelicot and his 50 accomplices in the aggravated rape if his wife Gisèle.

A feminist campaigner protested in the street outside waiving a placard demanding ‘Christmas in jail’ and ‘Easter behind bars’ for Pelicot and the other defendants.

Bus loads of other protesters are expected to join a mass demonstration in support of Gisele Pelicot who has stood proud in to face down her vile abusers over the four month trial that has shocked the world.

Another supporter held two huge placards with a picture of Gisele Pelicot thanking her for her ‘courage’ at waiving her right to anonymity in the trial to highlight the case.

Thank you for your courage Gisele so that shame changes sides.

A second said : ‘Stop violence against women.’

Hello and welcome to MailOnline’s live coverage as the sentencing for a man known as the Monster of Avignon starts in France this morning.

Dominique Pelicot, 72, caused shock and horror across the world after admitting he drugged his wife Gisele, whom he was with for 50 years, for a decade with prescription sleeping pills before raping her and inviting dozens of strangers to do the same.

The retired electrician (pictured above in a court sketch) faces a possible 20-year prison sentence for orchestrating the warped campaign to serially abuse his wife at the Pelicots’ family home in Mazan.

The criminal trial, which began in September, has been the subject to intense media interest as details involving Pelicot and 50 accomplices accused of raping Gisele came to light.

Stick with us as we guide you through the sentencing hearing which starts this morning in Avignon.

Nick Fagge will be reporting from the court in France and I’ll be providing updates in London.