Video evidence in French paedophile case

VIDEO evidence from some of the alleged 45 child victims of a French paedophile ring was delayed by a judge yesterday.

The testimony was filmed by police officers, and the children were not expected to appear in court in Angers, 165 miles south-west of Paris. Defence lawyers argued that the court had excerpted portions of the testimony, and demanded that it be shown in full.

Investigators say 45 children, aged six months to 14 years, were abused by their parents or their acquaintances from 1999 to 2002, in some cases in exchange for small amounts of money, food, cigarettes or alcohol. The trial began on March 3 and is due to end in July.