A sentence of 14 years of criminal imprisonment was requested Thursday before the Assize Court of Orleans against the dentist Stéphane Schoener accused of three rapes and 23 sexual assaults on patients during acupuncture sessions in his office.
“
We obey a doctor or a dentist.
He abuses his posture, his office, his authority
, ”launched Advocate General Luc Bellan, before discussing the case of a victim, a minor at the time of the facts, whom the accused knew she had. been raped at a young age.
“
Abuse a kid who confided in you that she was sexually abused.
So there you are world champion!
“, got carried away the magistrate.
Calming patients
Dr. Schoener, aged 61, is accused of having taken advantage, for more than 20 years, of acupuncture sessions, used in particular as an alternative method to soothe patients particularly stressed by dental care, to commit sexual assaults which could go as far as rape by digital penetration.
During the first days of the trial, which began on March 27, the dentist, in pre-trial detention since the spring of 2019, had opened the door to a partial confession.
Then, in the face of his victims, the sexagenarian however remained evasive about his responsibilities.
“
We can consider that he recognizes
”, estimated Luc Bellan, even if it is “
lip service
”.
During his requisitions, the magistrate described an "
unbearable
" character, obsessed with sex and money, "
a well-established notable
“, amateur of hunting parties and member of a Masonic lodge who abused his status to impose touching on his victims.
Young women, aged between 16 and 24, who were going through difficult times at the time of the attacks.
A total of 27 victims have joined as civil parties.
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Dr. Schoener, who practiced for more than thirty years in Chalette-sur-Loing (Loiret), is being prosecuted for rape of a minor by a person in authority, sexual assault on a 15-year-old minor by a person in authority, sexual assault with torture or acts of barbarism, sexual assault and rape by anyone abusing the authority conferred on them by their position.
During the investigation, a search of the firm had enabled the police to discover on the computer of the accused in particular images of a sexual nature of the victims taken using a spy camera.
The public prosecutor also called for a permanent ban on practicing the profession of dental surgeon and as an acupuncturist.
Verdict expected on Friday.
