The Mazan affair has appalled France and turned prime plaintiff Gisèle Pelicot into a feminist icon.

Since September, the trial has brought 51 men of all ages, walks of life and origins at the Vaucluse criminal court of Avignon, southern France.

All but one are charged with the aggravated rape, attempted rape or sexual assault of Ms Pelicot. The French media have dubbed them “Monsieur Tout-le-monde” — Mr Average Joe.

They are aged 27 to 74. Just over two-thirds have children. Three-quarters were employed in jobs ranging from lorry drivers to carpenters, a prison guard, a nurse, an IT expert working for a bank, a local journalist.

Around 40 per cent had criminal records, several for domestic abuse and two for rape. A third suffered from alcoholism or drugs. Around a dozen reported being sexually abused as children. Others came from stable, loving homes.

“The profile of the rapist does not exist,” said Antoine Camus, one of Ms Pelicot’s two lawyers, in his closing statement.

For almost three months, all but one, who is on the run, have been quizzed in the dock on their background and involvement in the rapes of Ms Pelicot after her husband Dominique Pelicot drugged her unconscious without her knowledge.

Despite video evidence, many denied any guilt, saying they thought it was part of a consensual sex game. The prosecution requested sentences ranging from four to 20 years, the maximum for aggravated rape.