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Life sentence for French killer | Life sentence for French killer |
(10 minutes later) | |
A French court has sentenced a 66-year-old man to life in prison for murdering seven girls and young women. | A French court has sentenced a 66-year-old man to life in prison for murdering seven girls and young women. |
Michel Fourniret, dubbed the "Ogre of the Ardennes", had admitted kidnapping and killing them between 1987 and 2001. | Michel Fourniret, dubbed the "Ogre of the Ardennes", had admitted kidnapping and killing them between 1987 and 2001. |
The court, in the town of Charleville Meziere, also found his wife Monique Olivier guilty of complicity. | The court, in the town of Charleville Meziere, also found his wife Monique Olivier guilty of complicity. |
She was accused of helping to trap the victims - most of whom were raped. It is one of France's biggest serial killing cases in decades. | She was accused of helping to trap the victims - most of whom were raped. It is one of France's biggest serial killing cases in decades. |
Enigma | |
The victims were aged between 12 and 22. Most were killed in the Ardennes region of France and Belgium. | The victims were aged between 12 and 22. Most were killed in the Ardennes region of France and Belgium. |
Fourniret would spot a potential victim while driving and stop to ask for directions, then persuade the person to get into his car. | |
Ms Olivier's presence in the vehicle was designed to help reassure the future victim, according to the prosecution. | |
Correspondents say the court proceedings failed to unlock Fourniret's personality and motives. | |
Although he had confessed to the murders, he refused to co-operate during the two-month trial. | |
Fourniret was arrested in Belgium in 2003 after an attempt to kidnap a 13-year-old girl. |