Appeal for Medical Intern Convicted of Sexual Assault
In a significant legal development, the Orleans Court of Appeal is set to review the case of a 27-year-old medical intern previously convicted of sexual assault. The intern, who was sentenced to five years in prison with a suspended sentence in March 2024, is now facing a request for a harsher penalty of three years in prison. The prosecution argues that the initial sentence was too lenient given the severity of the offenses committed between 2017 and 2020 against multiple female students.
During the appeal hearing, the intern acknowledged his past actions, claiming he has undergone substantial personal growth through psychological counseling and self-reflection. He described himself as having been “immature” and a “coward” at the time of the offenses. However, the victims provided poignant testimonies about the lasting impact of the assaults on their lives, with one victim recounting the loss of her dream of becoming an emergency doctor.
Attorney General Florent Carpentier criticized the original sentence as inadequate, emphasizing the need for a punishment that reflects the institution's values. He requested a five-year sentence, with three years to be served in prison. In contrast, the intern's defense attorney, Alain Jakubowicz, argued for a more lenient approach, stating that the intern had changed and should not be permanently disqualified from practicing medicine.
The court's decision is expected on January 14, 2025, as the intern's future in the medical field hangs in the balance.
