Court sketch of Joel Le Scouarnec at his first trial in 2020 depicts a former surgeon accused of abusing hundreds of young patients, often while they were under anaesthetic. This trial is set to be the largest child abuse trial in French history. Joel Le Scouarnec, 73, faces accusations of assaulting or raping 299 children, the majority of whom were former patients, between 1989 and 2014, mainly in Brittany. Despite admitting to some charges, he denies others. The trial in Vannes, north-west France, follows a thorough police investigation that spanned several years. It is expected to raise questions about whether Le Scouarnec was protected by his colleagues and hospital management, despite an FBI warning to French authorities about his online activities. A significant number of opportunities to prevent him from having contact with children were reportedly overlooked or dismissed. Additionally, members of his own family were said to be aware of his actions but failed to intervene. Le Scouarnec, who was once a respected surgeon, has been in jail since 2017 and was sentenced to 15 years in 2020. During a search of his home, police found child-sized sex dolls, a large collection of child abuse images, and detailed diaries documenting assaults on young patients over 25 years. He faces more than 100 rape charges and over 150 sexual assault charges. The trial is expected to delve into the institutional and judicial oversights that allowed Le Scouarnec to continue his alleged abuses for decades.
