French Former Surgeon Sentenced 20 Years Raping 299 Children

Joël Le Scouarnec, a 74-year-old former surgeon in France, was sentenced to the maximum 20 years in prison for the rape and sexual assault of 299 victims, mostly children, over more than two decades. Many victims were unconscious or sedated hospital patients, with an average age of 11, and included both boys and girls. Le Scouarnec pleaded guilty to all charges, including the sexual abuse of his granddaughter and other assaults beyond the statute of limitations. Despite a 2005 conviction for possessing child pornography, authorities failed to suspend his medical license or restrict his contact with children, allowing the abuse to continue until his 2017 arrest. Advocacy groups criticized the health authorities for inaction, highlighting systemic failures within French bureaucracy that allowed the abuse to persist. Le Scouarnec is already serving a 15-year sentence from a previous conviction, and the new sentence will begin after that term is completed, with eligibility for release after serving two-thirds of the sentence.