France to compensate victims of paedophilia ring

A French court is to announce compensation for victims of a paedophilia ring today, after 62 defendants were convicted in July for their roles in a vast network that systematically raped, abused and prostituted children.

The plaintiffs asked for more than €2.5m in damages, including €2.3m for the child victims.

Defence lawyers asked for €163,500 for 10-year-old Marine V., who received the most abuse.

Prosecutors said 45 children between the ages of six months and 14 years were raped and abused by their parents, grandparents or acquaintances in Angers from 1999 to 2002 – at times in exchange for small amounts of money, food, alcohol or cigarettes.