A French court has sentenced 74-year-old former surgeon Joël Le Scouarnec to the maximum 20 years in prison for the rape and sexual assault of 299 children, concluding one of the country’s most horrific abuse cases in recent history.
Le Scouarnec, already serving a 15-year sentence from a 2020 conviction involving four children, including his nieces, was found guilty in a new trial that revealed a decades-long pattern of abuse between 1989 and 2014, primarily involving unconscious or sedated hospital patients, most aged around 11.
The Morbihan criminal court ruled he must serve at least two-thirds of the new sentence before becoming eligible for release. The case shocked France not only for its scale—158 boys and 141 girls were among the victims—but also due to systemic failures that allowed the abuse to continue.
Despite a 2005 conviction for possession of child sexual abuse material, Le Scouarnec kept his medical license and continued practicing in hospitals until his arrest in 2017, sparking accusations of institutional inaction. During the trial, he confessed not only to the documented cases but also to other assaults now beyond the statute of limitations—including the abuse of his granddaughter.
The trial exposed how Le Scouarnec disguised abuse as medical care, meticulously documenting his crimes in journals. Many victims learned of the abuse only after police contacted them. Some entries were so explicit and horrifying they became central to the prosecution's case.
Prosecutor Stéphane Kellenberger sharply criticized both medical authorities and the French bureaucracy for failing to stop the abuse. “More could have been done,” he said. “Responsibilities were lost—innocent lives were destroyed.”
While Le Scouarnec claimed he no longer feels sexual attraction to children, experts told the court that his risk of reoffending remains high.
A third trial is anticipated as more victims, including further allegations involving his granddaughter, continue to come forward.
The case has reignited national debates around child protection, medical oversight, and France’s handling of institutional abuse—issues still unfolding across sectors from education to religion.
French President Emmanuel Macron has pledged to ban access to social media for children under 15 within months if the European Union does not act, citing growing concerns about youth safety and online influence.
A 15-year-old student fatally stabbed a school assistant during a bag check outside a middle school in Nogent, northeastern France, on Tuesday, in what officials are calling a brutal sign of escalating youth violence.
A number of French companies are facing restructurings due to economic challenges, a situation that has garnered interest from hedge funds specialising in distressed debt.
Qatar's Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani and French President Emmanuel Macron held a phone call to discuss the worsening humanitarian situation in Gaza and ongoing regional developments, Qatar’s Amiri Diwan announced Saturday evening.
China's Foreign Minister Wang Yi recently held a significant phone call with his French counterpart, Jean-Noël Barrot, during which China conveyed strong positions on the Taiwan issue and NATO's role in the Asia-Pacific, alongside broader discussions on trade and bilateral relations
U.S. President Donald Trump has announced plans to issue a new executive order aimed at addressing labor shortages in the agriculture and tourism sectors, which have been affected by his administration’s stricter immigration policies.
Liam Payne's final onscreen appearance will air next month as part of a Netflix series, following the approval of his family who reviewed the content and supported his involvement in the music competition.
Within the framework of the international event on energy efficiency held in Brussels, Azerbaijan’s Minister of Energy, Parviz Shahbazov, met with the Executive Director of the International Energy Agency (IEA), Fatih Birol.
US producer prices rose 2.6% annually in May, matching market expectations, with a modest 0.1% increase from April, the US Bureau of Labor Statistics reported.
Tensions between the U.S., Israel, and Iran are nearing a critical point as President Trump warns that an Israeli strike on Iran "could very well happen," while still expressing hopes for a peaceful resolution over Tehran’s nuclear ambitions.
Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Brief: here are the top news stories for June 8th, covering the latest developments you need to know.
Presidential candidate Miguel Uribe Turbay is in critical condition after being shot three times — including twice in the head — during a campaign event in Bogotá.
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Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum has condemned U.S. immigration raids and National Guard deployment in Los Angeles, calling for reforms instead of enforcement.
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum has openly expressed her opposition to labeling migrant workers as criminals during a high-level meeting with U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau.
Tensions between the U.S., Israel, and Iran are nearing a critical point as President Trump warns that an Israeli strike on Iran "could very well happen," while still expressing hopes for a peaceful resolution over Tehran’s nuclear ambitions.
Türkiye and Azerbaijan are deepening defense ties with two major joint military drills in Nakhchivan this June, aiming to strengthen strategic cooperation and regional readiness.
European foreign ministers agreed to increase pressure on Russia by imposing new sanctions targeting its energy and banking sectors amid ongoing conflict with Ukraine.
As G7 leaders prepare to meet, most member states are ready to cut the Russian oil price cap to $45 even without U.S. backing.
U.S. President Donald Trump has announced plans to issue a new executive order aimed at addressing labor shortages in the agriculture and tourism sectors, which have been affected by his administration’s stricter immigration policies.
Liam Payne's final onscreen appearance will air next month as part of a Netflix series, following the approval of his family who reviewed the content and supported his involvement in the music competition.
Within the framework of the international event on energy efficiency held in Brussels, Azerbaijan’s Minister of Energy, Parviz Shahbazov, met with the Executive Director of the International Energy Agency (IEA), Fatih Birol.
US producer prices rose 2.6% annually in May, matching market expectations, with a modest 0.1% increase from April, the US Bureau of Labor Statistics reported.
Tensions between the U.S., Israel, and Iran are nearing a critical point as President Trump warns that an Israeli strike on Iran "could very well happen," while still expressing hopes for a peaceful resolution over Tehran’s nuclear ambitions.
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