One of more than 50 men accused of raping Frenchwoman Gisele Pelicot in a mass rape case that has shocked the world told her in court on Thursday that he was sorry for what he did.

The woman at the centre of the Monster of Avignon multiple rape trial on Wednesday accused her attackers of being “degenerates” as she gave evidence in a case that has caused international shockwaves.

Gisele Pelicot receives applause from onlookers while leaving French court after husband's rape trial involving 50 other men.

PARIS (Reuters) -Hundreds of people, mostly women, gathered in cities across France on Saturday in support of Gisele Pelicot whose husband is on trial, accused of drugging her and recruiting dozens of strangers to rape her in a case that has shocked the nation.

The trial of dozens of men accused of raping an unconscious woman whose husband repeatedly drugged her has highlighted the difficulties that sexual violence victims can face in France

The mayor of the French town where a man for over a decade brought strangers to rape his wife apologised on Friday for remarks that were criticised for playing down the ordeal of the victim.Dominique Pelicot has admitted to drugging Gisele Pelicot into unconsciousness and inviting strangers to rape her.

A French judge on Friday ruled that videos of men raping Gisele Pelicot while she was drugged could be shown at the request of the prosecution or defence, but not as a matter of course due to the