Dominique Pelicot: Now Monster of Avignon ‘too ill to testify’ in rape trial

The depraved husband who allegedly drugged his wife and allowed at least 50 men to rape her failed to appear in court on Tuesday after being taken to hospital.

Dominique Pelicot, 71, had been due to give testimony in the shocking trial that has scandalised France.

But, in another dramatic twist to the case, the grandfather dubbed the ‘Monster of Avignon’ failed to appear in court as he was “too ill”.

His former wife Gisele Pelicot, 71, was clearly distressed as Judge Roger Arata revealed the defendant had been taken from prison to hospital and would not be cross-examined that day.

On the family’s bench, heads shook in apparent disbelief as his lawyer Beatrice Zavarro insisted his absence was not a “ploy”.

She said Pelicot appeared to be suffering from renal colic, a painful condition which can be treated with keyhole surgery to remove blocked kidney stones.

She added: “Let’s be clear about this. Monsieur Pelicot has not shirked (the proceedings) and will not be shirking.

“He will be here. He will reply to all the questions, but he can’t control what happens to his body. He didn’t plan to be ill. He is not a robot.”

As Ms Pelicot and her children objected to evidence being heard in his absence, the judge said the trial might have to be suspended – meaning it might not have concluded before Christmas as planned.

However, last night the court heard that Pelicot should be fit enough to appear today, though whether he will take the stand remains unclear.

As a crestfallen Ms Pelicot left Avignon Court, the Daily Mail asked her lawyer Antoine Camus whether he suspected her former husband might be feigning illness.

“The [judge] has ordered a medical examination. I think that should remove any ambiguity,” he replied.

“It is very important for [Pelicot’s] children, who have not yet testified, that their father is present in the dock to hear what they have to say.”

During the morning session, Pelicot’s daughter Caroline Peyronnet, 45, again fled the court in tears as a detective gave harrowing details of the alleged rapes.

It is claimed that between 2011 and 2020, the retired electrician systematically drugged his wife unconscious and invited dozens of strangers to their home to rape her on camera.

He faces up to 20 years in prison along with 50 other defendants, all of whom are accused of the “aggravated rape” of Ms Pelicot.

Earlier in the week, the trial heard that he had told a psychologist he carried out the sick crimes because his wife wouldn’t try swinging.

The case continues.

Additional reporting by Rory Mulholland