Joel Le Scouarnec, accused of sexually assaulting nearly 300 patients over 25 years, faces justice in one of France’s most shocking paedophilia cases.
A retired French surgeon accused of raping and sexually assaulting hundreds of young patients has admitted to committing “despicable” acts as his trial began in western France on Monday.
Joel Le Scouarnec, 74, is facing charges related to 299 victims, mostly children, in a case that raises serious concerns about the French public healthcare system. Wearing a black jacket and glasses, he calmly confirmed his identity before addressing the court. “I have committed despicable acts,” he stated. “The harm I have caused is beyond repair.” He acknowledged the suffering of his victims, adding that they would carry the trauma for the rest of their lives.
Le Scouarnec’s alleged abuse spanned from 1989 to 2014, making it the worst case of paedophilia to be tried in France. The trial comes amid increased scrutiny of sexual abuse cases in the country, following the recent conviction of Dominique Pelicot, who drugged his wife and invited multiple men to assault her.
Already serving a prison sentence for previous convictions, Le Scouarnec could face up to 20 years in jail if found guilty. However, French sentencing laws mean that his new sentence would run concurrently with his current term. “My clients expect nothing from him,” said Marie Grimaud, a lawyer representing several victims. “In France, whether you rape one child or 300, the punishment is the same.”
Le Scouarnec was first convicted in 2005 for possessing child pornography, receiving a suspended four-month sentence. Despite this, he was hired as a surgeon at a public hospital in Quimperlé the following year. He continued working in hospitals until his arrest in 2017 for the rape of a six-year-old neighbour. Investigators later uncovered diaries detailing his assaults on numerous patients.
In 2020, he was convicted of raping his child neighbour, two of his nieces, and a four-year-old patient, receiving a 15-year prison sentence. Further investigations led to new charges involving hundreds of additional victims.
One of the plaintiffs, François, who was 12 when Le Scouarnec allegedly abused him, expressed anger at the failure of authorities. “Why was he allowed to keep working with children?” he asked. Court documents reveal that officials at the health ministry were aware of his 2005 conviction, yet took no action. The ministry has not responded to inquiries.
A psychiatrist at the Quimperlé hospital raised concerns about Le Scouarnec’s behaviour in 2006, yet he remained in his position. The hospital has not explained why he was hired despite his criminal record or why he continued working after warnings were raised.
Public prosecutor Stéphane Kellenberger has launched a separate investigation into whether other individuals or organisations should be held accountable for failing to stop the abuse. Outside the courthouse in Vannes, protesters gathered with banners condemning medical authorities for their inaction.
Homayra Sellier, head of the organisation Innocence in Danger, which represents 40 alleged victims, stated: “There is no way someone can commit these crimes for decades without people knowing.”
The National Council of the Order of Physicians, responsible for regulating medical ethics in France, has pledged to work with the judiciary to prevent future cases of abuse.
