An elderly man, 82, and a 60-year-old woman have been accused of abducting and subjecting a woman to torture over a period of five years. The victim, aged 45, was reportedly held captive in Saint-Molf, located in France’s Brittany peninsula, by her roommate and the roommate’s partner. French media outlets stated that the victim, described as “psychologically fragile,” was taken to the hospital due to hypothermia.
The Nantes prosecutor, Antoine Leroy, disclosed that the victim was compelled to reside either in the garden or a garage attached to the residence where the two suspects lived. The woman managed to flee when the man was engrossed in watching TV and escaped from her confined space. She sought help at a neighbor’s residence, partially clothed, and revealed that she had been held captive for five years.
The victim recounted that she initially shared an apartment in the house with another woman until the man arrived. Subsequently, she was instructed to vacate the residence and reside outdoors in the garden, a tent, or the attached garage. A search of the property corroborated her account.
The alleged victim was frequently confined in the garage, sleeping in precarious conditions on a deckchair. She resorted to using a potty or plastic bags for personal hygiene and consumed porridge mixed with dish soap. Her movements were restricted, preventing her from leaving the premises.
According to the prosecutor, the victim’s whereabouts were untraceable since April 2022, coinciding with her divorce. Her bank accounts remained inactive except for substantial payments made to the suspects, as reported by LeParisien. The man and woman were apprehended at the conclusion of the previous week and purportedly confessed to the core allegations, albeit attempting to diminish their severity.
The duo faces charges of kidnapping involving torture or barbaric acts, carrying the potential for life imprisonment. Additionally, they are accused of exploiting a person’s vulnerable state, both psychologically and physically. While the man was placed under judicial supervision, the woman was remanded in custody.