French Surgeon Sentenced for Abusing Nearly 300 Young Patients

VANNES, France — A retired French surgeon, Joël Le Scouarnec, was sentenced to 20 years in prison on Wednesday for the sexual assault of nearly 300 young patients. This ruling marks one of the worst child abuse cases in modern France, as he admitted to the crimes committed over a span of 25 years.

The 74-year-old surgeon was convicted of sexually assaulting 299 victims, with most of them being children under the age of 15. Prosecutors stated that many ordeals occurred while the victims were under anesthesia or in recovery from surgery. The trial concluded in the town of Vannes, Brittany, where Le Scouarnec openly confessed to the charges against him.

During his closing remarks, Le Scouarnec expressed he was not seeking leniency. “I am not asking the court for leniency,” he stated, adding, “Simply grant me the right to become a better person.” His sentence will run alongside a previous 15-year term for raping a young neighbor and other minors.

Presiding Judge Aude Buresi noted the extent of Le Scouarnec’s actions, stating they exposed a failure within the medical community. “Your acts were a blind spot in the medical world,” she told him. The court mandated that he must serve at least two-thirds of the new sentence before eligibility for any adjustments.

The trial witnessed numerous witnesses, including relatives who attested to earlier abuse. Many victims had difficulty recalling their assaults as they were conducted when they were unconscious or still under anesthesia. However, police built a robust case against Le Scouarnec, who had meticulously documented his abuses in digital diaries.

The case has sparked renewed scrutiny regarding the French medical system, raising questions about how Le Scouarnec was permitted to work in multiple health facilities despite his previous conviction for possessing child pornography in 2005.

Victims’ advocates believe this case may lead to significant changes in the handling of child abuse claims, as they highlighted the medical system’s failure to act despite numerous warning signs. “This man benefited from a system that opened the door for him to have his own hunting ground,” said Francesca Satta, a lawyer representing the victims.

Le Scouarnec’s pattern of abuse came to light after he was rearrested in 2017 following new allegations against his six-year-old neighbor. The search of his home uncovered hundreds of thousands of illicit images and detailed journals outlining his assaults.

As the trial concluded, many victims expressed frustration with the judicial system’s response, emphasizing that although justice was served, it did not feel adequate. Emmanuelle Martin, who was abused by Le Scouarnec at the age of 10, called for law changes to ensure such offenders face harsher penalties.

The case has not only highlighted individual failures but has raised broader discussions about the healthcare system’s responsibilities to protect patients, particularly children, from abuse.