Woman in paedophilia network ‘abused own daughter’

A WOMAN accused of being the “treasurer” of a French paedophilia network testified she was forced under threat to watch scenes of child abuse at her home, and admitted abusing her own daughter.

The defendant, identified only as 32-year-old Patricia M, claimed she saw her ex-husband and former father-in-law sexually abuse her daughters as well as other children. In an emotionally wrenching session, she later admitted that she, too, abused a daughter.

Patricia M, accused of sexually abusing, corrupting and prostituting children, is one of 66 defendants on trial. They are charged with alleged involvement in the rape, sexual abuse and prostitution of children - some too young to walk.

The trial in Angers, 266 kilometres south-west of Paris, opened in early March. Some of the alleged child victims, who are not present at the trial, provided testimony by video.

Investigators say 45 children between the ages of six months and 14 years were abused by their parents or acquaintances from 1999 to 2002, in some cases in exchange for small amounts of money, food, cigarettes or alcohol. Most of the defendants come from the same working-class neighbourhood of Angers, many are unemployed and express themselves with difficulty.

The suspects are identified by first name and last initial to preserve the anonymity of their alleged victims.

Asked about her alleged role as treasurer, Patricia M hedged, telling prosecutor Philippe Toccanier that money circulated but she didn’t pocket any directly.

In court, she blamed her ex-husband, Franck V, for bringing the network to her doorstep, alleging that he brought “friends” to the house to take part in paedophilia sessions.

She claimed she saw her ex-husband sodomise their two-year-old son and fondle Lucie H at their home while his father, Philippe V, fondled her two daughters.

At the start of the trial, Patricia M said she had been abandoned as a child and then raped by her adoptive father. That and other testimony suggested the child abuse was passed from generation to generation.

Three defendants in the case face life imprisonment if convicted of raping minors under age 15 and of active participation in a prostitution ring.

Thirty-six, including Patricia M, face up to 20 years imprisonment if convicted on similar charges. Others face sentences of between three and 10 years.