Toulouse: The predator went out at night to rape and assault young women
Between September 2012 and December 2018, in Toulouse, several young women were victims of sexual violence. Two of them were raped, others assaulted. A man was criminally arrested in April 2019. He is being tried this week by the court for twelve offences.
A rather tall man, at least 1.80 m, lean, North African type, 45 – 50 years old. This report, for 7 years, the police officers of the departmental security of Haute-Garonne have often heard it. Twice, this individual was described by young women raped in September 2012 near Rangueil and in March 2016 in the parking lot of Paul-Sabatier University. These forced oral caresses had allowed investigators to isolate DNA that had remained unidentified for a long time.
Until July 2018 when a young woman returning home to the Empalot district had to resist the impulses of a tall, thin man. He demanded a blowjob after having surprised her in his building. The crying of the young girl pushed him to disappear, not without leaving her his phone. And the next day, this individual called her back from her work at the regional council, to offer her a drink.
The victim who rushed to the police to file a complaint. Quickly identified, then arrested, the suspect was placed in police custody but denied any constraint. This 57-year-old bachelor was left free but his DNA, taken, quickly “matched” with the unknown DNA of the rapist.
Arrested in April 2019, this man identified by the two young women raped, denied and then admitted his crimes. And the investigators of the criminal brigade and the competent people of the security, under the authority of the examining magistrate Fabrice Rives went up the wire of the complaints, identifying twelve victims. Each time they were surprised at night by a man with very wandering hands. Sometimes he was violent? “The only thing he really denies”, remarks Me Marie-Hélène Pibouleau who defended the two main victims.
20 years in prison encouraged
This Tuesday, faced with questions from President Huyette, this not very talkative man disputes a sexual assault. “This woman started crying as soon as the police showed her your photo. How do you explain it?” Asked the magistrate. “She is mistaken” affirms that of which accused on guesses the multiple faces. Efficient and rigorous employee of the local authority, loving and respectful son of his parents, little invested lover who often disappears at night… The psychiatrist expert uncovers in him “a rejection of women” and worries “about perverse behavior and of proven criminological dangerousness…”
In defense My Emilie Roque and Martin Vatinel know that it will be difficult to carry the word of this quiet person, “whose social and emotional life shows that he is ultimately very alone”.
The decision of the departmental criminal court is expected on Thursday. The accused faces a maximum of 20 years in prison.