Dominique Pelicot, the 71-year-old man accused of drugging his wife to sleep and recruiting dozens of men to abuse her for over 10 years, has admitted to all the charges against him in his first testimony since the trial opened on 2 September.

Referring to the 50 co-defendants who are accused of raping his now ex-wife Gisèle, Mr Pelicot said: “I am a rapist like the others in this room.”

“They all knew, they cannot say the contrary,” he said.

Of his ex-wife, he said: “She did not deserve this.”

“I was very happy with her,” he told the court.

Gisèle, who was given the chance to respond shortly after, said: “It is difficult for me to listen to this. For 50 years, I lived with a man who I would’ve never imagined could be capable of this. I trusted him completely.”

Mr Pelicot, who was diagnosed with a kidney infection and kidney stones, was absent from court for nearly a week due to illness. He is set to give his testimony throughout the day, although he will be allowed frequent breaks.

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