Police Major in Rouen and Animator in Nantes Face Sexual Assault Allegations Involving Minors

Two significant sexual assault cases involving minors have emerged in France, drawing public attention to allegations against individuals in positions of trust.

In Rouen, a 51-year-old police major and deputy head of the personal crimes division at the police station has been charged with sexual assaults on minors and placed in provisional detention, following an investigation prompted by testimonies from two girls and the discovery of pedopornographic images on his devices. The first victim, reporting assaults dating back to summer 2019 when she was 12, was a family acquaintance, while a second victim, aged 13, reported similar assaults over the last two years. Investigators also found illicit images on a hard drive connected to judicial procedures handled by the accused. The police officer has contested some allegations but admitted to others.

Meanwhile, in Nantes, a 59-year-old father contesting accusations of sexual abuse involving 13 children has vehemently denied the charges. During his hearing, he questioned the credibility of the children's testimonies, referencing the high-profile Outreau case to highlight his argument regarding the reliability of such statements.

These cases underline ongoing efforts by French legal authorities to address allegations of sexual abuse against minors, with investigations and legal proceedings continuing. They expose challenges around witness credibility and the complex dynamics involved when authority figures are implicated in such crimes.

Prosecutor Rémi Coutin in the Rouen case confirmed the serious nature of the allegations, and the investigations remain active with further developments expected.