After shocking Pelicot crimes, French surgeon to face trial in child sex abuse case

A view shows the courthouse of Vannes, before the opening of the trial of ex-surgeon Joel Le Scouarnec, accused of the aggravated rape and sexual assault against hundreds of children during three decades, in Vannes, France, January 23, 2025. REUTERS/Stephane Mahe

NANTES, France (Reuters) - When police in western France searched surgeon Joel Le Scouarnec's home after he raped his 6-year-old neighbour in 2017, they found a cache of sex dolls, wigs and child pornography.

They said they also discovered electronic diaries that appeared to detail nearly three decades of rapes and sexual assaults on hundreds of his young patients in hospitals across the region.