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| Version 6 | Version 7 |
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| Life sentence for French killer | Life sentence for French killer |
| (about 13 hours later) | |
| A 66-year-old man has been sentenced to life in prison by a French court for murdering seven girls and young women. | A 66-year-old man has been sentenced to life in prison by a French court for murdering seven girls and young women. |
| Michel Fourniret, dubbed the "Ogre of the Ardennes", had admitted kidnapping and killing his victims between 1987 and 2001. | Michel Fourniret, dubbed the "Ogre of the Ardennes", had admitted kidnapping and killing his victims between 1987 and 2001. |
| It is one of France's biggest serial killing cases in decades. | It is one of France's biggest serial killing cases in decades. |
| The court in Charleville-Mezieres also gave his wife Monique Olivier a life sentence for complicity. She helped trap the victims. | |
| Olivier, 59, must serve at least 28 years of her prison term, the court said. | Olivier, 59, must serve at least 28 years of her prison term, the court said. |
| The seven victims - most of whom were raped - were aged between 12 and 22. They were shot, strangled, or stabbed to death. | The seven victims - most of whom were raped - were aged between 12 and 22. They were shot, strangled, or stabbed to death. |
| Most were killed in the Ardennes region of northern France and in Belgium. | Most were killed in the Ardennes region of northern France and in Belgium. |
| Fourniret would spot a potential victim while driving and stop to ask for directions, then persuade them to get into his car. | Fourniret would spot a potential victim while driving and stop to ask for directions, then persuade them to get into his car. |
| CONFIRMED VICTIMS Isabelle Laville: Kidnapped in 1987 in Auxerre, central France, aged 17, and raped; body found in 2000Fabienne Leroy: Kidnapped and raped in Chalons-en-Champagne, eastern France, in 1988 aged 20; found next dayJeanne-Marie Desramault: Kidnapped in Charleville-Mezieres in 1989, aged 22; found in 2004 at Fourniret's former propertyElisabeth Brichet (in picture above, held by father Francis): Abducted in Namur, Belgium, in 1989, aged 12; found in 2004 at Fourniret's former propertyNatacha Danais: Kidnapped in 1990 near Nantes, western France, aged 13; found three days later on nearby beachCeline Saison: Kidnapped in Charleville-Mezieres in 2000, aged 18, and raped; found three months later in BelgiumMananya Thumphong: Abducted in 2001 in Sedan, north-east France, aged 13, and raped; found in Belgium in 2002 Couple who hunted virginsParrish parents continue quest | |
| His wife's presence in the vehicle was designed to help reassure the victim, according to the prosecution. | His wife's presence in the vehicle was designed to help reassure the victim, according to the prosecution. |
| Fourniret was arrested in Belgium in 2003 after an attempt to kidnap a 13-year-old girl, who managed to run away. | Fourniret was arrested in Belgium in 2003 after an attempt to kidnap a 13-year-old girl, who managed to run away. |
| Correspondents say the court proceedings failed to unlock Fourniret's personality and motives. | Correspondents say the court proceedings failed to unlock Fourniret's personality and motives. |
| Although he admitted the murders, he refused to co-operate further during the two-month trial. | Although he admitted the murders, he refused to co-operate further during the two-month trial. |
| Marie-Jeanne Laville, the mother of 17-year-old Isabelle who was raped and killed in 1987, told AFP news agency she was "very satisfied" with the verdict. | Marie-Jeanne Laville, the mother of 17-year-old Isabelle who was raped and killed in 1987, told AFP news agency she was "very satisfied" with the verdict. |
| "I can breathe again," she said. | "I can breathe again," she said. |
| Fourniret - who in court described himself as "an extremely dangerous individual" - said he would not appeal against his sentence. | Fourniret - who in court described himself as "an extremely dangerous individual" - said he would not appeal against his sentence. |
| He is suspected of kidnapping, raping and murdering British teaching assistant Joanna Parrish, 20, in 1990 while she was working in the French town of Auxerre. | He is suspected of kidnapping, raping and murdering British teaching assistant Joanna Parrish, 20, in 1990 while she was working in the French town of Auxerre. |
| He is also being investigated over the kidnap and murder of Marie-Angele Domece, a 19-year-old disabled woman from France. | He is also being investigated over the kidnap and murder of Marie-Angele Domece, a 19-year-old disabled woman from France. |
| He denies involvement in either woman's death. | He denies involvement in either woman's death. |
| But Roger Parrish and Pauline Sewell, Joanna Parrish's parents, issued a statement after the verdict was announced. | But Roger Parrish and Pauline Sewell, Joanna Parrish's parents, issued a statement after the verdict was announced. |
| "This is not the final chapter in our quest for justice for Joanna; we must wait to see if Fourniret is to be charged in connection with her death," they said. | "This is not the final chapter in our quest for justice for Joanna; we must wait to see if Fourniret is to be charged in connection with her death," they said. |