Husband who drugged his wife to be raped by 50 men is due to appear in court TODAY after being rushed to hospital – while lawyer insists his absence was not a ‘trick’

The depraved husband who allegedly drugged his wife and had at least 50 men rape her failed to appear in court yesterday after being taken to hospital.

Dominique Pelicot, 71, was due to testify in the shocking trial that has rocked France.

But in another dramatic twist to the case, the grandfather, nicknamed ‘The Monster of Avignon’, did not appear in court because he was ‘too ill’.

His ex-wife Gisele Pelicot, 71, was clearly upset when Judge Roger Arata revealed that the suspect had been taken from jail to the hospital and would not be questioned that day.

On the family bench, the heads of the family shook in disbelief as his lawyer Beatrice Zavarro insisted his absence was not a “trick.”

Gisele Pelicot faces reporters as she leaves the courtroom, flanked by her sons Florian (back) and David (right), after attending a hearing in the trial of her former partner Dominique Pelicot, who is accused of drugging her for nearly a decade and inviting strangers to rape her at their home in Mazan, a small town in the south of France, at the courthouse in Avignon, on Monday

Gisele Pelicot arrives at court in Avignon, France, on Tuesday, supported by her children Fliran (left) and David (right)

She said Pelicot appeared to be suffering from renal colic, a painful condition that can be treated with keyhole surgery to remove blocked kidney stones. She added: ‘Let us be clear about this. Monsieur Pelicot has not shied away [the proceedings] and will not shy away from it.

“He’ll be here. He’ll answer all the questions, but he can’t control what happens to his body. He didn’t plan on getting sick. He’s not a robot.”

Because Mrs Pelicot and her children objected to evidence being heard in his absence, the judge said the trial might have to be adjourned, meaning the trial might not be completed before Christmas as planned.

However, last night the court heard that Pelicot is fit enough to appear today, but it is still unclear whether he will actually testify.

As Mrs Pelicot left the court in Avignon dejectedly, the Daily Mail asked her lawyer Antoine Camus if he suspected her ex-husband was behaving unwell.

Caroline, the daughter of Gisele Pelicot who was allegedly drugged and raped by men approached by her husband Dominique Pelicot, appears in court in Avignon, France on Tuesday

Dominique Pelicot is accused of recruiting men online to repeatedly attack his wife over a 10-year period

‘The [judge] has ordered a medical examination. I think that will clear up any confusion,’ he replied. ‘It is very important for [Pelicot’s] children who have not yet testified, that their father is present in the dock to hear what they have to say.’

During the morning session, Pelicot’s daughter Caroline Peyronnet, 45, again fled the court in tears as a detective gave chilling details of the alleged rapes.

It is alleged that between 2011 and 2020, the retired electrician systematically drugged his wife into unconsciousness and invited dozens of strangers into his home to rape her on camera.

He faces up to 20 years in prison, along with 50 other suspects, all accused of the “aggravated rape” of Ms Pelicot.

Earlier in the week, the court heard he told a psychologist he committed the sick crimes because his wife wouldn’t try swinging. The case continues.