a 59-year-old naturopath indicted for raping a 14-year-old patient

A 59-year-old naturopath was indicted for rape of a 15-year-old minor on Thursday March 2, according to information from France Bleu Périgord collected from the Périgueux prosecutor’s office on Friday March 3. This man who practices in the agglomeration of Périgueux is accused of having repeatedly raped a 14-year-old girl who came to his office for consultation to try to cure a malaise.

The Périgueux prosecutor’s office also tells France Bleu Périgord that this man is under strict judicial supervision. This suspect is prohibited from contacting the victim. Moreover, this naturopath can no longer exercise his profession and any other profession that would lead him to be in contact with minors.

Presented Thursday morning to an investigating judge after two days in police custody, a judicial investigation is also open for “illegal practice of medicine”. In addition to presenting himself as a naturopath, which is an unregulated profession, the accused offered acupuncture sessions to his patients.

The naturopath incurs up to 20 years of criminal imprisonment

Regarding the suspicions of rape, France Bleu Périgord reports from a source familiar with the matter that the victim denounces facts that have occurred on several occasions during consultations with the naturopath. A first time in September 2022, others until December 2022. This same source indicates to France Bleu that the suspect is also accused of having raped the victim outside the consultations. He exchanged with his victim by message on his mobile phone.

Before the investigators, the naturopath acknowledged sexual acts, according to a source familiar with the matter. But he explained immediately that he had a romantic relationship with the teenager. The investigators were able to exploit the diary of the teenager, where she described the acts she suffered. The investigation will also consist of finding out if other patients have been victims of this naturopath. He faces up to 20 years in prison.