Doctor Who Sexually Abused Hundreds Of Children Sentenced To 20 Years In Prison

Last Updated:May 29, 2025, 08:34 IST

Le Scouarnec, a former surgeon, was found guilty of 111 rapes and 189 sexual assaults against 299 children, mostly under anesthesia or sedated.

This court sketch created on May 23, 2025, shows the defendant, French retired surgeon Joel Le Scouarnec listening during a hearing in his trial on charges of rape and sexual assault of 299 former patients, at the courthouse of Vannes, western France. (IMAGE: AFP)

Joel Le Scouarnec, a 73-year-old former surgeon, has been sentenced to 20 years in prison for sexually assaulting nearly 300 patients, most of whom were under 15 years old. The youngest victim was just four years old. 

Le Scouarnec, described as France’s worst paedophile, exploited his patients’ vulnerability, often targeting them while they were under anaesthesia or recovering from surgery, prosecutors said.

He kept a diary detailing his horrific crimes and referred to himself as a “proud" paedophile, although he later claimed these writings were just fantasies.

On Wednesday, Le Scouarnec showed no emotion as jury at the Morbihan Criminal Court, in Brittany, found him guilty of 111 rapes and 189 sexual assaults.

Presiding Judge Aude Burési, in turn, sentenced Scouarnec to “twenty years in prison" with a minimum two-thirds term without the possibility of parole “to prevent re-offending".

Scouarnec’s crimes occurred between 1989 and 2014, spanning over 25 years. Some alleged offences couldn’t be prosecuted due to the statute of limitations. 

During the three-month trial, the court revealed the horrific details of Le Scouarnec’s abuse, which primarily occurred while patients were under anaesthesia or slowly regaining consciousness after surgery.

Le Scouarnec, a former surgeon, was found guilty of 111 rapes and 189 sexual assaults against 299 children, mostly under anesthesia or sedated.

‘Worst Mass Paedophile, Ever Lived’

Thomas Delaby, a barrister representing one of his victims, told Le Scourarnec he is “the worst mass paedophile who ever lived" and “an atomic bomb of paedophilia. Your victims will never forgive you."

Speaking just before the verdict, Le Scourarnec said: “I’m not asking the court for leniency. Simply grant me the right to become a better person."

Le Scouarnec claimed that his abuse led to the deaths of at least two of his victims. “I am responsible for the deaths of Mathis Vinet, who died after an overdose in 2021, and Alan Roux, who was found hanged at his home in 2020," he said.

Prosecutors who had heard Le Scouarnec described as “France’s worst ever paedophile" said he was “a devil" and there was “a very high risk" of him re-offending if ever allowed out of his cell.

Prosecutor Kellenberger requested the maximum 20-year sentence for Le Scouarnec, citing the need for “additional security measures" due to the ongoing danger he poses.

The former surgeon is already serving 15 years behind bars after he was found guilty in 2020 of raping and sexually assaulting four young girls.

Two of these victims were his nieces, one was his neighbour, and the fourth was a former patient of his.

Le Scouarnec’s crimes came to light in 2017 when a 6-year-old neighbor reported being raped, leading to his arrest. He had stopped working at the hospital by then.

After his 2017 arrest, investigators made shocking discoveries at his home, including a repulsive diary where he detailed sexual acts with children. The monster doctor described himself as an “exhibitionist, voyeur, sadist, masochist, scatologist, fetishist, paedophile".

On his birthday every year, Le Scouarnec would record his age and write a vile message to himself. He wrote: “I am a paedophile and I am proud of it." 

His crimes were described in his diaries in great detail and without an ounce of regret or empathy. He also included the children’s names, the date he allegedly abused them, and where it happened. Le Scouarnec denied that these words were a reality and claimed they were just his sick “fantasies".

‘Wife Protected Her Husband’

Police also found horrifying child-sized sex dolls, some of them chained up, and over 300,000 child abuse images were discovered. Various victims called for Le Scouarnec’s ex-wife to be prosecuted too. Marie-Caroline Arrighi, a spokesman for four victims, said outside court: “She knew. Marie-France Le Scouarnec knew and protected her husband."

Calling the couple “evil," Ms Arrighi added: “Reporting sexual crimes and offences against minors is a legal obligation." 

Ms Le Scouarnec, the mother of his three sons, lived with him throughout that time and has always denied knowing what he was doing. 

Patrick Le Scouarnec, the defendant’s 70-year-old brother, testified that Marie-France, the defendant’s wife, could have exposed his crimes earlier. He implied she was complicit in covering up the abuse. Victims have accused Marie-France of enabling the defendant’s actions for years. 

Ms Le Scouarnec said, “I wondered how I could have not noticed anything. It’s a terrible betrayal that he committed against me and my children."

Meanwhile, victims of Le Scouarnec expressed disappointment that the 20-year sentence was too lenient, given the large number of victims affected. Lawyer Francesca Satta advocated for changing the law to allow for longer sentences, stating that 20 years was insufficient for the severity of the crimes.

Location :

France

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