French surgeon accused of raping 299 young women admits committing 'despicable acts'

A retired French surgeon accused of raping and sexually assaulting hundreds of young patients, some of them under anesthesia, said Monday at the opening of his trial in western France that he had committed “despicable” acts. Joel Le Scouarnec, 74, faces charges of aggravated rape and sexual assault against 299 victims, most of them children at the time, in a case that raises uncomfortable questions for France’s public health system, victims and human rights groups say.

Wearing a black coat and glasses, he spoke in a firm voice to confirm his name, date of birth and other personal information in the small provincial courtroom. Several of his alleged victims watched the proceedings from a nearby building.

“I have committed despicable acts,” Le Scouarnec told the court. “I am aware that the harm I have caused is irreparable.”

“I owe all these people and their loved ones the recognition of my actions and their consequences, which they have endured and will continue to endure throughout their lives.”

In what is considered the worst pedophilia case to come to trial in France, Le Scouarnec's alleged abuse of patients spanned 25 years, from 1989 to 2014.

The trial comes at a time when a review of sexual crimes in France is being carried out, following the conviction of Dominique Pelicot , found guilty in December 2024 of drugging his wife and inviting dozens of men to rape her at his home.

Already serving a prison sentence for previous rape convictions, Le Scouarnec could face up to 20 years in prison if found guilty. The two sentences would run concurrently.

"My clients don't expect anything from Le Scouarnec. In France, whether you rape one child or 300, the sentence is the same," Marie Grimaud, a lawyer representing some of Le Scouarnec's alleged victims, told reporters ahead of the hearing.

"My clients just hope to find some dignity, humanity and consideration from the justice system."

Child sexual abuse

Le Scouarnec has been convicted of sex offences on two previous occasions. He was given a four-month suspended prison sentence for possession of child pornography in 2005, but managed to get a job as a surgeon at a public hospital in Quimperle, western France, the following year.

He continued to work in public hospitals until he was arrested again in 2017 on suspicion of raping a six-year-old neighbour. Police discovered electronic diaries that appeared to detail sexual assaults on dozens of patients in hospitals across the region.

In 2020, Le Scouarnec was sentenced to 15 years in prison for the rape and sexual assault of his underage neighbor, as well as two of his nieces and a four-year-old patient.

Further investigations into the alleged victims recorded in his files led the Public Prosecutor's Office to charge Le Scouarnec with aggravated rape and sexual assault of 299 people.

François, one of the plaintiffs in the lawsuit who was 12 when Le Scouarnec allegedly abused him, said he felt betrayed by authorities. “Why didn’t anyone stop this surgeon from working with children?” said François, who asked to be identified only by his first name.

According to court documents, some Health Ministry staff members were aware of the 2005 conviction. The ministry did not respond to requests for comment.

Warnings ignored

Shortly after Le Scouarnec took a job at Quimperle in 2006, a hospital psychiatrist alerted management to his concerns about the surgeon's behavior, according to a court document.

Quimperle's public hospital did not respond to requests for comment on why Le Scouarnec was hired after being convicted of possessing child pornography or why he kept his job after concerns were raised.

Local prosecutor Stephane Kellenberger has opened a separate investigation into the possible criminal liability of other public bodies or individuals who could have prevented the abuse.

"It is not possible that someone could rape and assault children for all these years without the knowledge of the people around him," said Homayra Sellier, director of the organization Innocence in Danger, which supports 40 alleged victims and is the author of the lawsuit.

Outside the courthouse in Vannes, a small town in Brittany, protesters held up placards accusing medical authorities of complicity.

The National Council of the Order of Physicians, which oversees adherence to the code of ethics for doctors in France and has disciplinary powers, said it was working with the courts to prevent future harm to patients.