French Paedophile Surgeon Sentenced to 20 Years for Abusing 299 Patients

Joel Le Scouarnec, once a respected surgeon, now holds the grim title of France’s most prolific paedophile surgeon, having admitted to sexually abusing 299 patients, most of them children, over 25 years. On Wednesday, the 74-year-old was sentenced to 20 years in prison — the maximum under French law — but with time already served, he could be released as early as 2030.

This ruling has ignited national outrage, with victims and advocacy groups decrying the sentence as inadequate given the scale and severity of the crimes. Many are calling for sweeping reforms to France’s criminal justice and medical regulatory systems.

A Shocking Legacy of Abuse in Plain Sight

French Paedophile Surgeon Joel Le Scouarnec, now convicted, has crimes spanning from 1989 to 2014. During this time, he abused sedated or unconscious patients, many of them minors, while working at various hospitals across France. In a chilling detail that emerged during the trial, he kept graphic diaries of his assaults, which later helped police identify victims, some of whom had no memory of the abuse.

In court, Joel Le Scouarnec stood without emotion as Judge Aude Burési delivered the verdict. She condemned the former surgeon for specifically targeting vulnerable and unwell patients, describing the abuse as calculated and predatory.

Victims Say Sentence Doesn’t Fit the Crime

For many victims, the sentence feels like a second betrayal. “Twenty years is little compared to the number of victims,” said Francesca Satta, a lawyer representing several survivors. Amélie Lévêque, who was abused as a child, added, “He gets his life back, but we lost ours.”

Several victims protested outside the courthouse, unfurling a banner to represent the hundreds of lives forever scarred. Many expressed frustration that it took decades — and nearly 300 victims — for action to be taken.

Medical System and Institutional Failures Under Scrutiny

French Paedophile Surgeon Joel Le Scouarnec was convicted in 2005 for possessing child pornography, yet continued working in hospitals for nearly a decade. Lawyers, victims, and even his own legal counsel now say the medical establishment failed repeatedly to stop him.

His attorney, Maxime Tessier, acknowledged that the “system allowed him to continue.” The National Order of Doctors admitted in March that “poor communication” among its branches allowed the disgraced surgeon to continue practising.

A Call for Legal Reform and Accountability

This case has renewed calls for harsher penalties for child sex offenders and greater institutional accountability. Victims’ groups say politicians and medical regulators must now act decisively to prevent such a tragedy from recurring.

Despite Le Scouarnec’s repeated apologies during his 14-week trial, many victims found his demeanour unconvincing. “He never cried. He never looked sorry,” said Manon Lemoine, one of the many who testified. Louis-Marie, another survivor, added, “The only justice would be if he never harmed anyone again — and stayed behind bars.”