While the Mazan rape trial has been held since September 2 at the Vaucluse Criminal Court, we tell you about some cases tried in the North in recent years.
The Mazan rape trial has been fueling legal headlines for almost two months now. This Saturday, October 19, a new national gathering is being held across the four corners of France in support of Gisèle Pélicot and the victims of gender-based and sexual violence. The opportunity for L’Observateur to delve back into its archives and bring out some cases which have marked the Nord department in recent years.
“The Rapist of the Sambre”, the most emblematic
The best known of these is undoubtedly that targeting Dino Scala, presented as “The Rapist of the Sambre” and arrested on February 26, 2018 in front of his home in Pont-sur-Sambre. He was sentenced in June 2022 to 20 years of criminal imprisonment for the rapes or sexual assaults of 54 women between 1988 and 2018.
The Scala affair summarized in a few dates
Dino Scala: the extraordinary trial of an extraordinary case
Dino Scala affair: one month before the trial, his lawyer speaks
Dino Scala: “In the evening, I didn’t feel like it”
The victim scares Dino Scala away by telling him about his mother
New cases attributed to the Sambre rapist?
Rapist of the Sambre: Dino Scala no longer appeals his conviction
According to the Penal Code, rape is defined as any act of sexual penetration, of whatever nature, committed against the person of another by violence, coercion, threat or surprise. Rape is punished more severely, with penalties of up to 20 years of criminal imprisonment, and more in the event of aggravating circumstances.
Another case dates back to November 16, 2020 in Guesnain. Tried at the Douai Assize Court at the beginning of October, Fabrice Moulard was found guilty of aggravated rape, the extreme barbarity of which led to the death of the victim.
There is also the case of Jonathan L., sentenced to 11 years of criminal imprisonment for the rape of his pregnant partner on the night of March 26 to 27, 2020 in Le Cateau.
The case of Alexandre, found lifeless in the Vignoble pond park, in Valenciennes, on October 17, 2021, still remains on everyone’s minds. On Wednesday June 12, 2024, his executioner, suspected of having raped and having administered drugs to Alexandre leading to his death, received a sentence of 16 years in prison.
Dylan (first name changed) was barely 10 years old when his ordeal began with his “uncle”, Freddy P. In total, no less than 60 rapes in the space of three years. Tried in November 2022, the sixty-year-old is sentenced to 12 years of criminal imprisonment.
Still in Valenciennois, we end with the case of Vincent Bailly, convicted in September 2022 of rape and sexual assault on several children. He was sentenced to 28 years in prison.
You can find other trials covered by our editorial staff below:
Somain: the former park guard sentenced to 8 years in prison for the rape of a young woman
Caudry: sentences ranging from 14 to 18 years of criminal imprisonment for the torturers of the little girl
A football coach convicted of raping and touching five players, all minors
