'Predator' who saw sex as a 'right' takes stand in Avignon trial

A 'sexual predator' who saw intercourse as a 'conjugal right' will join six more suspects taking the stand in the Monster of Avignon trial in France this week as the court heard damning evaluations from psychologists today.

Jerome Vilela, a supermarket worker and volunteer fireman, is among those accused of raping Gisele Pelicot while she was drugged and asleep, under guidance of her then-husband. As many as 50 men stand accused, many denying charges.

Vilela was described by his ex-partner as a ‘sex-addict’ and manipulator who had extra-marital relations with people he was ‘not attracted to’ so as not to form attachments, according to a court psychologist.

Psychologist Lucy Segnarbieux told how successful builder Thierry Parisis, one of the men suspected of abusing Ms Pelicot at her Mazan home, spiralled into despair following the death of his son, Jimmy, in a traffic accident on New Year's Day 2016. 

Giving evidence in his defence, Parisis' ex-wife Corinne told Vaucluse Criminal Court in Avignon how he tried to commit suicide in January 2021 on the anniversary of his son's death and was twice admitted to psychiatric hospital.'

Asked by the judge how often her ex-husband drank alcohol, she replied: 'Some days he started drinking in the morning.' Then, turning to Madame Pelicot, she said: 'Madame, I can't understand why he did this to you.'

Some 50 men are accused of being accomplices to the rape of Ms Pelicot over a period spanning almost a decade. The case continues to rock France, with many thousands taking to the street in support of the victim.

Most deny being rapists and claim they were 'tricked' by Pelicot who told them his wife had agreed to take part in a sex game in which she pretended to be asleep during the sex.

Detectives discovered some 20,000 graphic images that he had collected of the rape of his wife when he was arrested in 2020, after he was caught taking photos up the skirts of women at his local supermarket. 

This week,  seven men – including a hospital nurse, a builder, a pastry chef – will give evidence in the trial.

Thierry Parisis is among the suspects accused of abusing Ms Pelicot.

Psychologist Lucy Segnarbieux gave her findings to the Vaucluse Criminal Court in Avignon today.

She said: '[Parisis'] daughter speaks of a "great childhood" before the great misfortune when on her brother died in a traffic accident aged just 18.

'From then on Thierry Parisis' life collapsed.

'He fell into alcoholism and depression. And he ended up leaving the family home because he could no longer stand to stay in this house where photos of his son were displayed everywhere.'

Jerome Vilela was described as a 'sex-addict' who believed intercourse was a 'conjugal right' and had extra-marital relations with people he was 'not attracted to' so as not to form attachments.

Elisa Scheidt told the court today: ‘Vilela’s ex-partner painted the portrait of a two-faced man, a seducer, a liar and a manipulator of women. She described him as a sexual predator who demanded intercourse with a high frequency. 

‘Vilela is a sex addict who believe intercourse is conjugal right in a couple a and demanded sex every night.’ 

She added: 'Vilela told me he did not want to form attachments so he had extra marital relationships with people who he was not attracted to - obese women, men and transvestites.'

Vilela, who is in custody, listened attentively from the secure dock inside the court room.

The court was also told how hospital nurse Redouan El Farihi was desperate to have a child after he failed to conceive with his first and then second wives.

But the dream of having his first child was shattered when the adoption of a little girl from his native Morocco was abruptly halted following his arrest for rape.

The court that Jean Tirano, a pastry chef turned roofer, who is originally from the French Indian Ocean possession of Reunion had slipped into a life of heavy drinking and drug taking while he was working in France.

Principle defendant Pelicot was not in court this morning as he require an operation in hospital today for a serious liver and bladder condition that risked causing the whole trial to collapse two weeks ago.

Judge Roger Arata told the court: 'Monsieur Pelicot is ill. He must undergo a medical procedure today, this afternoon.

'He is excused [court] for the day. We are hoping to see him again tomorrow.'

His lawyer Beatrice Zavarro had told AFP on Sunday that the examination 'went well.'

Pelicot has admitted to the charges against him.

He is being tried along with 50 other men aged between 26 and 74, many of whom have denied the rape charge. Most risk up to 20 years in jail if convicted of aggravated rape.

Gisele Pelicot, who only discovered the abuse in 2020 after being told of it by police, has requested that the trial be open to the public to raise awareness about the use of drugs to commit sexual abuse.

The case continues.