Dominique Pelicot, 72, has been sentenced to 20 years in prison for drugging and delivering his ex-wife, Gisèle Pelicot, to be sexually assaulted by dozens of men over a decade.

Despite the severity of his crimes, Pelicot has chosen not to appeal, citing a desire to spare Gisèle further legal battles.

However, 17 of the 51 co-accused have filed appeals, potentially leading to a new trial with a jury.

The original trial, which concluded on December 19, saw sentences ranging from three years to 20 years for the accused.

Gisèle, now a symbol of resilience and feminist advocacy, insisted on a public trial to shift the shame from victims to perpetrators.

The case has become a landmark in the fight against sexual violence.