By Juliette Jabkhiro

VANNES, France (Reuters) -A French court on Wednesday found a retired surgeon guilty of sexually abusing hundreds of patients, many of them children, in a trial that has shaken France.

Joel Le Scouarnec’s abuse of his patients is considered France’s worst case of pedocriminality to go to trial. He stood accused of aggravated rape or sexual assault against 299 victims.

Le Scouarnec had told the court he committed “despicable acts” over a 25-year period whilst he worked as doctor in western France, in a trial that has raised uncomfortable questions for the publicly run healthcare system.

Le Scouarnec, 74, was sentenced to 20 years in jail.

Presiding Judge Aude Buresi, whose voice at times appeared to choke with emotion, said Le Scouarnec had preyed on victims when t

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