Lyon court to deliver verdict in sexual assault case with drugging allegations
Lyon court delivers verdict Friday in sexual assault trial with evidence of drugging, hidden videos, and fake profiles.
Event / Security
Lyon Sexual Assault Trial 2024
Trial of a 39-year-old bodyguard in Lyon for drugging and sexually assaulting his partner while filming her. The defendant had contact with serial rapist Dominique Pelicot. Evidence includes hidden camera recordings spanning 2015-2023, nude photographs, sedatives, and fake dating profiles. The victim reported unexplained fatigue and memory loss during the assault period. Verdict expected June 12, 2024.
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2026-08-16 to 2026-11-13 · UTC publication dates
Coverage begins 9 Jun, 08:37 UTC
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What happened
Man accused of drugging and sexually assaulting partner in Lyon trial
A 39-year-old man, employed as a bodyguard, is being tried in Lyon on June 11-12 for allegations of drugging and sexually assaulting his partner while secretly filming her. The defendant initially confessed to rape and sexual assault during judicial questioning after being informed he had administered a sedative to his partner, but later retracted his confession and now claims innocence. He claims the acts were consensual 'sexual play,' but investigators found video evidence showing the victim unconscious during sexual acts, with judges concluding her deep unconsciousness excluded any form of consent.
Child sexual abuse material found in defendant's possession
Investigators discovered substantial quantities of child sexual abuse material in the defendant's possession. When questioned, he alternately claimed 'misplaced curiosity' and 'moments of aberration' as explanations for possessing such content.
Defendant created fake dating profiles using victim's images without consent
Beyond the chemical assault allegations, the defendant is accused of creating fraudulent profiles on the dating site Coco (subsequently shut down by authorities) using his partner's identity. He posted stolen nude photographs and videos of her on these profiles. The victim reported that multiple men showed up at her workplace expecting to meet her, having been contacted through these fake profiles.
Intimate videos and photographs discovered hidden in defendant's phone since 2015
During a search following the defendant's arrest on June 13, 2023, investigators found numerous nude photographs of the victim and videos recorded in the couple's bedroom using a hidden camera. These recordings spanned from the beginning of their relationship in 2015. In the videos, the victim appears unconscious while the defendant engaged in sexual acts. Powerful sedatives were discovered in a safe the victim could not access.
Victim reported unexplained fatigue and memory gaps between 2020 and 2023
The victim told investigators she experienced a prolonged period of unexplained fatigue between 2020 and 2023 without understanding its cause. Beyond cardiac troubles and dizziness, she reported multiple 'blackouts' after falling asleep. These symptoms align with the period during which investigators allege the defendant drugged her with sedatives.
Contact with Dominique Pelicot established during investigation of accused
The defendant had online contact with Dominique Pelicot, the convicted serial rapist currently serving a 20-year sentence. Investigators determined the defendant sought to benefit from Pelicot's 'experience' in drugging women. The defendant's defense attorney argues that the court must determine whether substantive mentoring links existed between the two men. Pelicot, though questioned during the investigation, will not be present at the trial.
Defendant faces maximum 20-year prison sentence; verdict expected Friday
The defendant faces a maximum sentence of 20 years imprisonment. The verdict is expected to be delivered Friday evening. The victim, having accepted that the trial would be held in open court, indicated she carries no public message and does not wish to speak publicly about the case.
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