Joël Le Scouarnec is on trial in France for 314 allegations of child sexual abuse, with incidents occurring in various hospitals between 1986 and 2014. His ex-wife, Marie-France, learned of his crimes in 2017 and continues to support him despite his heinous actions. She claims ignorance of his behavior during their marriage and describes him as an intelligent man. The trial will explore his acknowledgment of these inclinations dating back to 1983, raising questions about accountability and deception.
Joël Le Scouarnec: The Shocking Trial Unfolds
Joël Le Scouarnec, a name that resonates with horror in the realm of judicial history, is now facing what could be one of the most significant trials in France concerning child sexual abuse. The court proceedings set to commence on Monday, February 24, in Vannes, will delve into a staggering 314 allegations of rape and sexual assault attributed to the former surgeon. These heinous acts reportedly took place in ten different hospitals during his medical career from 1986 to 2014, with the average age of his alleged victims being just 11 years old.
Among those closely connected to Le Scouarnec is his ex-wife, Marie-France, who parted ways with him around 2005. She claims to have only learned about his criminal actions in 2017, coinciding with the public revelation of his offenses. Despite the gravity of the situation, she was one of the few individuals who continued to visit him at the Ploemeur prison, where he remains incarcerated while awaiting trial.
Insights from Marie-France: A Complex Relationship
In a recent interview with ‘Sept à Huit’, part of an investigation aired on February 23, Marie-France shared her perspective on her estranged husband. Although she declined to appear on camera, she expressed a sense of obligation to support him, stating, “I take care of him because he has no one else.” She noted that he has changed significantly since his initial trial, where he was sentenced to 15 years in prison for sexual crimes against his nieces and a young patient in the 1990s.
According to her, Le Scouarnec now wishes to take responsibility for his actions and believes he is in a safe environment where he poses no threat to others. “Neither the psychiatrists nor he himself can currently understand why he is like this,” she explained, revealing the complexity of his psychological state.
Marie-France also disclosed in an interview with Ouest-France that she was completely unaware of his predilections during their marriage. She only discovered his notebooks—detailing three decades of assaults—after his arrest. She insisted that this upcoming trial pertains solely to his professional life and declared that she had no obligation to provide further explanations to anyone, including the justice system. Despite the heinous acts attributed to him, she described Le Scouarnec as “an intelligent, brilliant man” who she never imagined could betray his family.
However, the chilling content of Le Scouarnec’s personal journals raises questions about accountability and awareness within their relationship. The accused himself noted in these writings that he recognized his inclinations as early as 1983, hinting at an attraction to a young niece. His words reveal a troubling narrative, suggesting that he was aware of his actions long before Marie-France claims to have found out. This trial promises to unravel the layers of deception and the tragic impact of his crimes on countless lives.