Latest news with #France
Malay Mail
31 minutes ago
- Health
- Malay Mail
Devil in a white coat: How French surgeon Le Scouarnec got away with 25 years of child sexual abuses
VANNES (France), May 29 — Joel Le Scouarnec practised medicine in France for decades as an outwardly respected surgeon while preying on victims to sexually abuse and rape them, often while under anaesthesia or waking up after operations. A court in western France on Wednesday convicted Le Scouarnec, 74, who during the trial confessed to sexually assaulting or raping 299 patients between 1989 and 2014 and is already in jail after a previous sexual abuse conviction. Le Scouarnec, one of the most prolific convicted sex predators in France's history, received the maximum 20-year sentence for aggravated rape demanded by prosecutors. The former surgeon, who said himself he deserves no 'leniency,' will be ineligible for parole until he has served two-thirds of his sentence. Throughout the trial, Le Scouarnec admitted to the crimes but repeated apologies in a monotone voice that led some to doubt his sincerity. And questions remain over how he was allowed to continue working despite a conviction for possessing images of child sexual abuse. His 42-year-old son told the court that his father's 'perversion exploded like an atomic bomb' within the family, shattering the carefully maintained facade of a devoted surgeon. Authorities found some 300,000 child sexual abuse images, along with diaries in which the surgeon meticulously recorded the sexual abuse of children and animals. Le Scouarnec, who wrote in his notes that he was 'very happy' to be a 'paedophile', admitted the abuse of his patients – 256 of them under 15 – but claims he remembers little of what he did. 'Dangerous nature' 'You were the devil and he sometimes is dressed in a white coat,' prosecutor Stephane Kellenberger told Le Scouarnec, warning an additional trial could be required to cover the cases of further victims whose abuse is not part of the current case. The former surgeon is already in prison after being sentenced in December 2020 to 15 years for raping and sexually assaulting four children, including two of his nieces. Victims and child rights advocates say the case highlights systemic failures that allowed Le Scouarnec to repeatedly commit sexual crimes. In 2005, he received a four-month suspended prison sentence after investigators linked his credit card to the online purchase of child sexual abuse material. But Le Scouarnec was neither required to undergo treatment nor barred from practising medicine. And even after a colleague at Quimperle hospital alerted local and regional medical authorities in 2006 to his conviction and 'dangerous nature', Le Scouarnec continued practising in hospitals across western France. In one instance, he told the then-director of the Jonzac hospital in western France about his 2005 conviction but she hired him nonetheless in 2008. Nearly a decade would pass before he once again came under suspicion. 'Good surgeon, pervert' Le Scouarnec said during the trial he had two distinct personalities: both 'a good surgeon', and a 'pervert' who had no qualms about what he did to his patients. The divide between those two sides began to unravel in 2017, when his neighbour in Jonzac filed a complaint for indecent exposure in front of her six-year-old daughter – who later accused Le Scouarnec of digital rape. After his arrest, Le Scouarnec told authorities he first 'touched' a child – his niece – between 1985 and 1986. Investigators found in 2000 one of his nieces told her mother that she had been raped by her uncle, who, when confronted, admitted the abuse but no complaint was filed. During the trial, he also admitted sexually abusing one of his granddaughters. Le Scouarnec said that his wife has known about the abuse since 1996, an allegation she denies. 'There's nothing to make me think this. Nothing, nothing, nothing... I never had any doubts,' Marie-France, who divorced Le Scouarnec in 2023, told the court. While Le Scouarnec insisted his expressions of regret towards the victims were genuine, many said they did not believe him and some expressed anger with the court's decision. The court rejected a rare request to place him in a treatment facility after his release, citing his age and 'desire to make amends.' One of the victims, Amelie Leveque, 43, expressed anger that the court stopped short of imposing that measure on Le Scouarnec. 'I feel humiliated by this verdict. There are 300 victims. Why not go all the way?,' she said. 'How many victims does it take, 1,000?' — AFP
Daily Mail
2 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Margaret Qualley sends fans wild as she grabs Aubrey Plaza's bottom in viral video from Cannes
Fans are going wild over a viral clip of Aubrey Plaza and Margaret Qualley at the 2025 Cannes Film Festival. Last Friday, Plaza, 40, and Qualley, 30, attended the world premiere of their new film Honey Don't! during the French festival. It marked Plaza's first red carpet appearance since her husband Jeff Baena tragically died by suicide in January at the age of 47. And Qualley did her best to quell Plaza's nerves as they braved photographers together at the glitzy event in France. She even got a laugh out of Plaza as a now-viral clip from the premiere shows her playfully grabbing the star's rear end on the red carpet. From A-list scandals and red carpet mishaps to exclusive pictures and viral moments, subscribe to the DailyMail's new Showbiz newsletter to stay in the loop. Fans are going wild over a viral clip of Aubrey Plaza and Margaret Qualley at the 2025 Cannes Film Festival In the footage, the co-stars are seen posing side by side with their arms wrapped around one another for photos. Next, Qualley begins to slowly move her hand down Plaza's back until she reaches her bedazzled bottom. Once the photo op is over, both Qualley and Plaza burst into laughter before moving down the red carpet with the rest of the cast and crew of Honey Don't!. The hilarious moment quickly gained traction online, with fans jokingly calling Plaza and Qualley a 'superb couple.' While Plaza is believed to be single, Qualley is married to Taylor Swift's longtime collaborator Jack Antonoff, 41. Many celebrated Plaza and Qualley's close friendship, with one fan writing: 'I love the vibe with them' However, some viewers were left outraged by the clip as they argued that the celebratory response to Qualley's butt grab poses a 'double standard.' 'Imagine it was a man !!!! But a woman can !!!' penned one angry Instagram user. At the same Cannes premiere, Qualley was also seen 'comforting' Plaza as she was captured rushing to her co-star's side in a touching clip shared by Variety. For her red carpet return, Plaza looked like the epitome of glamour in a see-through floor-length gown that featured a white strapless bodysuit underneath. The dress shimmered with a number of beaded embellishments. She accessorized with statement earrings and gold peep-toe heels. The star's brunette tresses were styled in loose curls. Meanwhile Margaret wowed in an off-the shoulder cream gown with a black bow in the middle. In Honey Don't!, Qualley stars as Honey O'Donahue, a small-town private investigator who finds herself entangled in a web of strange deaths. Plaza stars as a police officer working with O'Donahue. The dark comedy film directed by Fargo's Ethan Coen is set to hit theaters on August 22. This is the first time fans will see Plaza back to work on the big screen, months after her husband's shock suicide. In March it was revealed that Aubrey had secretly split from Baena just four months before his shock suicide at 47. An LA County Medical Examiner's autopsy report obtained by revealed that the filmmaker and actress had separated back in September of last year, and she had been living in New York at the time his body was discovered on January 3. The report detailed how the Life After Beth director had been 'experiencing marital difficulties' in his final months, and how he had been in therapy. An investigator noted in the documents that Plaza, whose name was redacted in the final report, said she had spoken with Baena the night before his death. The report also tragically revealed that Plaza had been concerned for her estranged husband's wellbeing. 'In October 2024, Baena made concerning remarks to [Plaza] which prompted her to call a friend to perform a welfare check on her husband.' 'Baena had been attending therapy since that event,' the documents stated. The medical examiner's report also determined that Baena did not have drugs or alcohol in his system at the time of his death. It stated that Plaza 'knew her husband to be alive' as of January 3 because he had sent her a text message that morning. The report indicated that a dog walker discovered Baena's body after hearing loud music emanating from his house, which she said was 'unusual.' After she called the writer and director and didn't get an answer, she entered the home and discovered his body. In a statement obtained by a representative for the Plaza said: 'This is an unimaginable tragedy. We are deeply grateful to everyone who has offered support. Please respect our privacy during this time.' Baena, who graduated with a film degree from New York University, got a strong start and on-the-ground education with major filmmakers when he worked as a production assistant for Robert Zemeckis and as an assistant editor for David O. Russell. His big break came when he co-wrote Russell's cult classic existential comedy I Heart Huckabees (2004). A decade later, he graduated to directing with his debut, the 2014 romantic horror–comedy Life After Beth, which Plaza starred in. They reunited for 2016's Joshy and 2017's The Little Hours, which Plaza also produced. Baena also regularly collaborated with the actress Alison Brie, who appeared in The Little Hours and starred in and co-wrote his final two films, the psychological drama Horse Girl (2020) and the dark comedy thriller Spin Me Round (2022). Plaza and Baena began dating in 2011, and in 20187 she told Page Six that the fact that they were mutually 'obsessed' with movies helped the two bond and led to their subsequent creative and romantic partnerships. She confirmed in 2021 that they had quietly tied the knot a year earlier while promoting Spin Me Round, which she had a supporting role in, when she referred to Baena on Instagram as her 'darling husband.' Plaza has been making tentative steps to get back into the world after Baena's devastating death. The actress made her first public appearance since Baena's death in February when she introduced musical guests Miley Cyrus and Brittany Howard on Saturday Night Live's 50th anniversary special. She made a subtle but moving tribute to her late husband by wearing a tie-dye shirt, a reference to one of his passions and their nuptials.
CNA
2 hours ago
- General
- CNA
Former surgeon found guilty in French child sex abuse case
A former surgeon has been found guilty in France in one of the country's worst child sex abuse cases. Joel Le Scouarnec was given a 20-year-jail term, which his legal team said he would not appeal. Ross Cullen reports from Paris.
Daily Mail
2 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Maria Bello files for divorce from French chef wife Dominique Crenn after one year of marriage
Maria Bello has filed for divorce from French chef Dominique Crenn. The Coyote Ugly star, 58, is calling it quits on her marriage with Dominique, 60, after one year, according to TMZ. The actress filed for divorce on Wednesday, listing April 7 as their separation date, precisely one year after they said 'I do.' Maria cited 'irreconcilable differences' as the reason for their split. The star confirmed there are no child custody or support matters to resolve, since the two have no minor children together. It's unclear if the estranged pair signed a prenup. From A-list scandals and red carpet mishaps to exclusive pictures and viral moments, subscribe to the DailyMail's new Showbiz newsletter to stay in the loop. Maria is requesting that mediation costs be shared with her estranged wife, and states that spousal support terms are to be outlined in a separate written agreement. The actress first went public with Dominique in 2020, announcing that they had gotten engaged the previous year. In April 2024, they were both seen flashing their rings at the Time 100 Gala, leading to speculation they had already exchanged vows. The two confirmed their wedding last May, with Maria revealing she and Dominique held their 'bohemian, chic' nuptials in Cabo San Lucas with 140 loved ones in attendance. Their guest list included Mariska Hargitay, Gavin Rossdale, Vanessa Getty and Oscar-winner Patricia Arquette, Maria told People. The pair spent a chunk of their engagement in Mexico during the COVID-19 lockdowns, and the nation became their 'home away from home,' they said. For their venue, they selected the Montage Los Cabos in Cabo San Lucas, which they fell in love with in part because of the 'stunning' vistas on view. During the ceremony, Dominique arrived to the Prince song KISS, accompanied by her 10-year-old daughters from a previous marriage and by her ex-mother-in-law, who is the children's grandmother. Maria then appeared to Burna Boy's Time Flies, along with her son Jackson McDermott, 23, whom she had with studio executive Dan McDermott. For her grand entrance at her wedding ceremony, Maria was also joined by her mother Kathy Bello, a teacher and nurse. Dominique, the first woman chef to earn three Michelin stars in the United States, got engaged to Maria in December 2019 while on holiday in Paris. Early in their relationship, the couple weathered a frightening storm together when Dominique was diagnosed with breast cancer. Dominique — who served as a consultant for the Ralph Fiennes film, 'The Menu' — recalled that upon hearing the news, Maria told her: 'I'm here and I'm going to be here for all the time during the time of this.' 'Listen, I just knew. I just knew and so did she,' Maria explained to People, saying she had 'never smiled as much' before as she did during her time with Dominique. They announced their engagement at Elton John's Oscars viewing party in February 2020, and later that night posed side by side at the Vanity Fair Oscar Party. In 2013 Maria wrote about love in a New York Times essay. She was dating Clare Munn at the time; they were together from 2011 until 2016. 'I didn't think of it as romantic or sexual,' she wrote. 'She was one of the most beautiful, charming, brilliant and funny people I had ever met.' 'But it didn't occur to me that we could perhaps choose to love each other romantically.' She also said, 'Love is love.' The blonde beauty has also dated McDermott - from 1999 to 2006 - and together they have son Jackson. Bellow was with Bryn Mooser from 2008 until 2010. After Maria split from Munn in 2016, she also dated Elijah Allan-Blitz.
Malay Mail
2 hours ago
- Health
- Malay Mail
French court sentences surgeon, ‘an atomic bomb of paedophilia', to max 20 years for sexually abusing 299 kids
VANNES (France), May 29 — A French court on Wednesday gave the maximum 20-year jail term to a surgeon who admitted sexually abusing hundreds of patients, most of them children, but victims, some in tears, expressed disappointment with the verdict. The three-month trial of Joel Le Scouarnec, 74, has brought to light the extent of his crimes and the suffering of his victims but also raised questions about why more was not done sooner to stop him. Le Scouarnec, one of the most prolific convicted sex predators in France's history, was already in prison after being sentenced in 2020 to 15 years for raping and sexually assaulting four children, including two of his nieces. The 20-year sentence handed down by presiding judge Aude Buresi was the maximum that could be given on the charge of aggravated rape in France, where sentences are not added together on individual counts. Le Scouarnec will not be able to ask for parole until two-thirds of his sentence is served. But the court in Vannes in the western region of Brittany rejected a rare demand from prosecutors that he should be held in a centre for treatment and supervision even after any release. The court cited his age and his 'desire to make amends'. Wearing a black jacket, Le Scouarnec listened to the verdict without flinching. Cries of 'shame on the justice system' rang out in a separate room where victims watched the proceedings on a video screen, according to two sources. 'What a disappointment!' one of the victims, Manon Lemoine, said outside the courthouse, fighting back tears. Some of the survivors of the retired surgeon's abuse shared a tearful embrace. Another victim, Amelie Leveque, said she felt 'humiliated by this verdict'. Child rights advocates say the case highlights systemic failures that allowed Le Scouarnec to repeatedly commit sexual crimes. 'Forgotten victims' Le Scouarnec was also banned from contact with minors and practising medicine. He will not appeal his conviction, said his lawyer Maxime Tessier. The prosecutor has said that in the United States, Le Scouarnec could have been jailed for '2,000 years'. In the trial, which began in February, Le Scouarnec admitted sexually assaulting or raping 299 patients – 256 of them under 15 – in hospitals between 1989 and 2014, many while they were under anaesthesia or waking up after operations. Survivors of the surgeon's abuse staged a protest outside the court holding signs such as 'Never again' and 'I accuse you.' They also held signs representing 355 victims. That number included 'forgotten victims and those whose cases have been dismissed', said Lemoine. Another victim, Celine Mahuteau, sent a letter to President Emmanuel Macron saying France has not implemented a national policy 'to prevent paedophilia'. 'Not asking for leniency' 'I am not asking the court for leniency,' Le Scouarnec said on Monday. 'Simply grant me the right to become a better person.' The surgeon also said he considered himself 'responsible' for the death of two of his victims – Mathis Vinet, who died after an overdose in 2021 in what his family says was suicide, and another man who was found dead in 2020. Le Scouarnec documented his crimes, noting his victims' names, ages, addresses and the nature of the abuse. In his notes, the doctor described himself as a 'major pervert' and a 'paedophile'. 'And I am very happy about it,' he recorded. In 2005, he received a four-month suspended prison sentence after investigators linked his credit card to the online purchase of child sexual abuse material. But Le Scouarnec was neither required to undergo treatment nor barred from practising medicine. 'Proud of this fight' While Le Scouarnec has asked his victims for forgiveness, many have questioned the sincerity of his apologies, which he repeated almost mechanically. 'You are the worst mass paedophile who ever lived,' said one of the lawyers representing the victims, Thomas Delaby, describing Le Scouarnec as an 'atomic bomb of paedophilia'. There has been frustration among some that the trial has not had the impact in France they hoped for. The case has not won the attention given to the case of Dominique Pelicot, who was jailed last year for recruiting dozens of strangers to rape his now ex-wife Gisele. Health Minister Yannick Neuder said he would work with Justice Minister Gerald Darmanin to ensure that 'never again will we find ourselves in a situation where patients and vulnerable children' are exposed to predators. Gabriel Trouve, one of the victims, said many were relieved and looked forward to resuming their lives. 'We can, I think, be proud of this fight we didn't choose, but have decided to take on nonetheless,' he said. — AFP
