As a disturbing trend continues to emerge in France, a bodyguard from Lyon is set to face justice for allegedly sedating and raping his partner, leaving experts to question the impact of relationships with individuals who have committed similar crimes on unsuspecting victims. The case has echoes of the infamous Dominique Pelicot case, where 51 men were found guilty of drugging and raping the convicted man's wife in an unprecedented online invitation.
The accused man had interacted online with Pelicot, who was convicted in 2024 for his role in this heinous crime. Judges described Pelicot's actions as 'grotesque', handing him a 20-year prison sentence. It is alleged that the social media platforms used to invite strangers to participate in these crimes have facilitated such abuse.
The trial of the accused bodyguard is expected to scrutinise their online relationship, examining whether it played a significant role in the alleged assault. If convicted, he faces up to 15 years' imprisonment and will be required to register as a sex offender upon release.