The Vosges Assize Court on Friday sentenced a 31-year-old man to thirteen years' imprisonment for rape against two former partners as well as violence and sexual assault against a former partner. This man from Mauritius, aged 31, was also sentenced to ban from French territory.
The accused claimed to be inspired in his intimate relationships by the erotic saga
Fifty Shades of Gray
in which the hero of the novel, Christian Grey, initiates his partner into sexual relations where games of domination and submission mix. At the end of a trial which lasted almost three weeks before the Vosges assizes, the Epinal prosecutor's office requested 18 years of imprisonment accompanied by a security period for half of the sentence as well as a definitive ban on National territory.
“The Assize Court followed us on half of the victims since he was acquitted for three out of six
,” declared Me Stéphane Giuranna, lawyer for the accused.
“We were also followed on the sentence: 13 years, without a safety period
,” underlined the lawyer.
“It’s a decision that we will study to see whether to appeal or not
,” he said. Both the prosecution and the accused have ten days to appeal.
“Very satisfied” victims
As for the victims, three of whom had joined as civil parties, the counsel said they were
"very satisfied"
, such as Me Renaud Gerardin, lawyer for the ex-partner of the convicted thirty-year-old. The latter
“is relieved to have been recognized as a victim. She did not denounce acts of rape but of violence and sexual assault for which he was found guilty.
“It is a great satisfaction to see that the Assize Court solemnly indicated today that no sexual practice whatsoever could make rape conceivable
,” reacted Me Carine Deschamps, lawyer for one of the three plaintiffs.
For the last complainant, who also denounced rape, this decision sounds like
“an immense relief”
, confided her counsel, Me Béatrice Founès.
“All she wanted was to be recognized as a victim, not to be held responsible for what she had endured with the shame, guilt and suffering that goes with it.”