Digne-les-Bains – 02.06.2026: Guillaume Bucci, a former bank director aged 51, was sentenced on May 23, 2026, by the criminal chamber of Digne-les-Bains to 25 years of imprisonment. The sentence is based on the accusation that Bucci systematically abused, raped, and forced his ex-partner Laëtitia R. into prostitution over a period of seven years. Bucci announced that he would not appeal the sentence, so it is now final.
Laëtitia R., 42 years old and mother of four children, testified before the court that Bucci manipulated her psychologically in addition to exerting physical violence. He pressured her with repeated death threats to force her into prostitution. During the years of abuse, she had to perform sexual acts against her will with nearly 500 men. She kept a detailed record of the forced assaults, which was presented as evidence during the trial.
The prosecution highlighted in its closing arguments the severity and duration of the acts and requested a long prison sentence. The defense argued that Bucci suffered from mental illnesses and requested a lighter sentence. The court did not follow these arguments and handed down the maximum sentence of 25 years imprisonment.
The Bucci case has attracted great attention in France and has sparked a public debate about the protection of victims of domestic violence and sexual exploitation. The clear conviction aims to send a signal that these crimes will be punished severely and the perpetrators brought to justice.
Laëtitia R. has publicly committed herself for a long time to breaking the silence of victims. She calls on those affected to also report and seek help, in order to raise awareness of the violence and strengthen prevention.
Platforms for the protection of victims of domestic violence and counseling against sexual exploitation consider the sentence as support for their work. State institutions must continue to reinforce existing protection mechanisms and decisively advance criminal prosecution.
The case once again demonstrates the importance of intensifying preventive measures and social awareness. The French justice system faces the challenge of consistently punishing perpetrators and providing lasting protection for victims to ensure confidence in the rule of law.
Bucci’s waiver of appeal accelerates the execution of the sentence, which is interpreted as a clear signal against domestic violence and sexual exploitation. Society must continue to take action to prevent these crimes, better support the victims, and effectively deter the offenders.
Sources
- Franceinfo