Joel Le Scouarnec: Trial of surgeon accused of sexually abusing 299 patients in France’s largest paedophilia case

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy A former surgeon who allegedly raped and abused hundreds of young patients, many of whom were under anaesthetic, will be the subject of France’s largest-ever child abuse trial later this month. Joel Le Scouarnec, 73, a once-respected surgeon who worked in regions across France, stands accused of assaulting or raping 299 people in a 25-year reign of terror, usually targeting his child patients while working in Brittany. The surgeon is accused of detailing his rapes and assaults – and naming his victims – in depraved diaries discovered when his home was searched in 2017. open image in gallery A court sketch from Joel Le Scouarnec’s previous appearance in court Le Scouarnec has admitted to some but not all charges in the upcoming trial in Vannes, northwest France. open image in gallery Laura and Jerome – the parents of the little girl who sparked the case attend the opening of French surgeon Le Scouarnec's trial Officers discovered detailed diaries chronologically listing and naming his victims over decades, disclosing the assaults which he had allegedly committed or wanted to commit across the several hospitals he had worked in, including in Loches, Vannes, Lorient, Quimperlé, and Jonzac.