This Monday the trial begins at the Assises of three rugby players, Denis Coulson, Loïck Jammes and Rory Grice, for the gang rape of a student in March 2017 in a hotel in Mérignac, near Bordeaux. They admit to having had sexual relations with the young woman but assure that it was consensual. Two others are also on trial, for the related offense of failure to assist a person in danger.
One of the three main accused, Irishman Denis Coulson, was allegedly the victim of a road accident on June 12 in his country, reports South West. His condition would not allow him to appear. A referral request could be filed by his counsel.
Denis Coulson films a central scene, in his bedroom
He is one of the main accused since he is the one with whom the young girl takes the taxi from a Bordeaux nightclub to reach the hotel in which the Grenoble team is staying, to which the right pillar then belongs. He is also the one who films, in her bedroom, the scene where she has relations with several partners and during which objects are used.
The evening had been very drunk and video surveillance showed that the young girl was unable to move around alone. She allegedly tried to get back into the taxi twice, before being dragged into her room by the rugby player. He denies any aggression. She does not keep any memories between leaving the nightclub and the moment when she comes to her senses and asks the hotel operator for help.
The investigating magistrate dismissed the accused considering, according to the elements in his possession, that “the civil party was not in a position to consent to a sexual act”. The dismissal would be difficult news for the victim who has been waiting for this trial for seven years.