'Worst paedophile who ever lived' sentenced after horrific 'atomic bomb' of child abuse

A French surgeon described as "the worst mass paedophile who ever lived" and an "atomic bomb" of child abuse was today sentenced to two decades in prison for raping scores of youngsters over three decades. Joel Le Scouarnec, 74, admitted at least 299 horrifying crimes against victims who were mostly under the age of 15, with the youngest just four.

On Wednesday, Le Scouarnec showed no emotion as jury at the Morbihan Criminal Court, in Brittany, found him guilty of 111 rapes and 189 sexual assaults. Presiding Judge Aude Buresi in turn sentenced him to "twenty years in prison" with a minimum two-thirds term without the possibility of parole "to prevent reoffending". The offences took place between 1989 and 2014, while other alleged crimes were not prosecuted because they happened too long ago.

During a three-month trial, the court heard how Le Scourarnec mainly abused patients while they were still under anaesthetic, or slowly waking up following operations.

Thomas Delaby, a barrister representing one of his victims, told Le Scourarnec: "You are the worst mass paedophile who ever lived' and 'an atomic bomb of paedophilia. Your victims will never forgive you."

Speaking just before the verdict, Le Scourarnec said: "I'm not asking the court for leniency. Simply grant me the right to become a better person."

The defendant also explained how he had caused the the deaths of at least two of his victims.

Le Scouarnec said: "I am responsible for the deaths of Mathis Vinet, who died after an overdose in 2021" and Alan Roux, who was found hanged at his home in 2020.

In turn, prosecutors who had heard Le Scouarnec decribed as "France's worst ever paedophile" said he was "a devil" and there was "a very high risk" of him reoffending if ever allowed out of his cell.

Stéphane Kellenberger, the Attorney General, said his proven crimes were committed against 158 males and 141 females, with an average age of 11.

Requesting a "maximum possible sentence of twenty years" for Le Scouarnec, Mr Kellenberger said there needed to be "additional security measures" because of the danger Le Scourarnec still posed.

Le Scouarnec is already in prison after being sentenced in December 2020 to 15 years for raping and sexually assaulting four children, including two of his nieces.

The surgeon practised for decades until his retirement in 2017, despite a 2005 sentence for owning sexually abusive images of children.

His wife, Marie-France Le Scouarnec, was also portrayed as a ruthless accomplice, while denying any wrongdoing.

She spent her days taking lovers and going to aquaerobics, while her once highly respected surgeon husband repeatedly attacked children, it was alleged.

Ms Le Scouarnec, the mother of his three sons, lived with him throughout that time, and has always denied knowing what he was doing.

But Patrick Le Scouarnec, the 70-year-old brother of the defendant, told the court she was being untruthful.

He said: "There is another person who could have ensured that my brother was arrested - it is his wife, Marie-France."

Victims of Le Scouarnec have also accused Ms Le Scouarnec of covering up his 'paedocriminal activities' for decades.

Ms Le Scouarnec said: "I wondered how I could have not noticed anything. It's a terrible betrayal that he committed against me and my children."

Those watching Le Scouarnec intently today as the verdict was read out included many of his victims.

They want the authorities, who they say should have stopped Le Scouarnec earlier, to answer for the scandal.

In comments that have been published and broadcast across France, victims called for Le Scouarnec's wife to be prosecuted too.

Marie-Caroline Arrighi, a spokesman for four victims, said outside court: "She knew. Marie-France Le Scouarnec knew and protected her husband."

Calling the couple "evil", Ms Arrighi added: 'Reporting sexual crimes and offences against minors is a legal obligation.'

The Lorient public prosecutor's office has opened two new investigations into Le Scouarnec's professional career, which ended in 2017.

They include 'possibly unidentified and newly reported victims' of sexual abuse and rape.

The Le Scouarnec case follows last year's conviction of Dominique Pelicot, 72, after the so-called "Monster of Avignon" was found guilty of drugging his wife Gisèle Pelicot, also 72, over a decade, while allowing strangers to rape her repeatedly.

Such crimes have led to calls for great public vigilance and more efforts by the authorities to clamp down on sex criminals.