French court hands man 25-year term for torture and rape of ex-partner

A French court sentenced Guillaume Bucci, a former bank manager, to 25 years in prison for aggravated rape and torture of his former partner. The court found that from 2015 to 2022 he manipulated her using the pretext of sadomasochistic sex games, including acts involving strangers he found online. Bucci argued that his ex-partner consented and that he did not think he was hurting her. The plaintiff described psychological control and said she now suffers significant disabilities from the abuse. She testified she stopped counting at nearly 500 men. The court ordered that he serve at least two-thirds of the sentence before parole eligibility, while prosecutors sought life imprisonment to prevent reoffending.

"The 51-year-old argued that his ex-partner consented, saying on Saturday that he "did not think he was hurting her". But during the trial, the 42-year-old plaintiff, Laeticia R. -- who now suffers from significant disabilities as a result of the abuse -- described what she called the "psychological control" exerted by her former partner. Bucci admitted to several acts, including strangulation, burning, and acts of bestiality, but said they were "consensual sexual games in the context of their intimate relationship"."

"In the latest trial, Guillaume Bucci, who was a bank manager at the time, was accused of using the pretext of sadomasochistic sex games to manipulate his partner from 2015 to 2022 into torture and rape, including by strangers he found online. The 51-year-old argued that his ex-partner consented, saying on Saturday that he "did not think he was hurting her". But during the trial, the 42-year-old plaintiff described what she called the "psychological control" exerted by her former partner."

"Laeticia R. told the court she had "stopped counting" at nearly 500 men. The court in southeastern France sentenced the 51-year-old to 25 years in prison, ruling that he must serve at least two-thirds of the term before being eligible for parole. Prosecutors had requested a life sentence to prevent the "risk of reoffending against another woman"."

"When her ex-partner introduced the idea of sadomasochism, Laeticia R. said she thought of "spanking, being tied up", adding that he had told her they would stop if she did not like it. But "it was pur"

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