Kane Dane
A retired surgeon allegedly physically abused as many as 349 children in his 30 years career in what could be France’s most significant ever pedophile case.
68-year-old Joel Le Scouarnec is estimated to go on trial in the spring for the molestation and physical abuse of four kids.
The 68-year-old surgeon is accused of molesting a six-year-old girl, abusing a child patient, molesting a young child, physically assaulting another victim, and dirty exposing himself.
But prosecutors think that there could have been hundreds of victims of the surgeon in his 30-year career in hospitals across central and western France.
After Scouarnec was charged, investigators stated that they found the secret diaries in which Le Scouarnec detailed intercourse scenes involving scores more kids.
The children were named, which enabled police to track the victims down and get testimony and bring extra charges.
The 68-year-old surgeon’s lawyers, however, allege the journal records were “fantasies.”
The chief prosecutor of Lorient in Brittany, Laureline Peyrefitte, said Yesterday that the number of possible victims now reached 349.
According to the prosecutor, 229 people in total have been questioned by investigators, and 197 victims pressed charges against the surgeon.
It is assumed that the offenses took place between 1989 and 2017 until the surgeon retired.
Many of the alleged offenses are unable to prosecute under French Law as the crimes were committed to long.
Francesca Satta, a lawyer for some of the alleged victims, stated: “they remember excellently well what they endured but never informed about it because they were scared.”
The retired surgeon risks up to 20 years in prison if convicted on the first set of charges.
He is currently in jail, awaiting prosecution in Saintes from March 13 to 17.
