Praise..from a monster

The Monster of Avignon serial rapist in court apology to ex

- PETER ALLEN

THE Monster of Avignon who let dozens of men rape his drugged wife praised her courage as he apologised to his family in court.

Dominique Pelicot has confessed to inviting scores of men he met online to his home to repeatedly rape and sexually assault Gisele Pelicot, 72 Yesterday, the serial rapist was behind a glass screen in the dock, with 50 co-defendants also in court.

If convicted, they face sentences of between four and 18 years each, totalling more than 600 years in jail.

Pelicot, 71, was given a last chance to speak at the three-and-a-half month trial in southern France.

Turning towards the mother of his three grown-up children, who have been at the trial throughout, he said: "I would like to start by saluting the courage of my ex-wife, for having to put up with the innuendo that she was complicit [in my crimes].