The Lorient court on Monday sentenced a 53-year-old man, a former gendarme who had become a social worker for children in Morbihan, to four years in prison. The charges, which included two sexual assaults (one of which was committed by abusing the authority conferred by his position) and five acts of sexual harassment, date back to a period between 2014 and 2018.
Six alleged victims, all former beneficiaries of the child welfare system, had been identified. According to testimonies gathered during the investigation, the accused would meet with them alone in his office, comment on their appearance or their love life, suggest outings, visit them at home in the morning, or dangle the prospect of financial assistance before them.
Denials maintained until the very end
Until the hearing, the accused denied all the charges against him, conceding at most to an "inappropriate professional demeanor," while refuting any sexual or seductive intent. The public prosecutor, who had requested a six-year prison sentence, described him as "sexist, deceitful, and manipulative."
The judgment includes a deferred arrest warrant, a three-year restraining order prohibiting any contact with the main complainant, and a ban on engaging in any activity (paid or voluntary) involving regular contact with minors. The man will also have to pay €10,000 in damages for emotional distress to the main victim, €3,800 to his former partner, and a symbolic €1 to the Morbihan departmental council, his former employer, which joined the proceedings as a civil party.
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