AVIGNON, France — A French court found all 51 defendants guilty on Thursday (Dec 19) in a mass rape case including Dominique Pelicot, who repeatedly drugged his then wife, Gisele, and allowed dozens of strangers into the family home to rape her.

Here are brief profiles of the men who received the longest sentences. All have 10 days to decide whether to appeal their sentences.

DOMINIQUE PELICOT, 72, married Gisele in 1973. The couple, who are now divorced, had three children and Gisele said she had thought that they had a happy marriage. Professionally, Pelicot appeared to have struggled, working as an electrician and then in real estate, but having to ask family members for loans. 

Addressing the court in September, he said he had had a difficult upbringing and had himself been a victim of rape. He said he had wanted his wife to participate in partner swaps and her refusal, together with trauma from his youth, had contributed to triggering his abusive behaviour. He was sentenced to 20 years in prison on Thursday.

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