Dominique Pelicot: French man accused of inviting dozens of men to rape his wife taken to hospital on day he was to give evidence

A man accused of inviting at least 50 other men to rape his wife has been taken to hospital on the day he was due to give evidence.

Dominique Pelicot is alleged to have recruited the men on a chat room called “without her knowing” in a case that has shocked France.

The 71-year-old is being tried in the southern French city of Avignon, along with 50 other men on charges of aggravated rape.

His defence lawyer Beatrice Zavarro said her client “is not trying to shirk his responsibility, he will not shirk his responsibility”.

Sources told Sky News the judge ordered the defendant to undergo medical checks in hospital after complaining of stomach pain.

A decision is expected to be made later in the day as to when Dominique Pelicot will testify, and what potential delays this may impose on the trial.

Ms Zavarro added that her client started to show symptoms of what could be a bladder infection or colic on Friday.

Meanwhile, his now ex-wife Gisele Pelicot was seen outside the court on Tuesday, along with his daughter who has also been attending the trial.

Last Thursday, Ms Pelicot testified that her world collapsed when police uncovered the years of alleged abuse.

Speaking of the moment she discovered her former spouse had allegedly filmed the suspected attacks by dozens of men, she said: “For me, everything collapses. These are scenes of barbarity, of rape.”