A man convicted in the infamous Pelicot rape case faced a harsher punishment after his appeal backfired, resulting in an extended prison sentence.

The convicted individual, who sought to overturn or reduce his earlier sentence, was instead handed a longer term by the appellate court after reviewing the evidence and severity of the crime.

The court observed that the original sentencing did not fully reflect the gravity of the offence and ruled that justice demanded a stricter punishment. Legal experts noted that appeals in serious sexual assault cases can sometimes lead to reassessment of sentencing based on new evidence or legal arguments, which can either benefit or harm the appellant.

This case serves as a reminder that appellate processes are not guaranteed to reduce sentences — and may, in certain cases, strengthen the penalties if the court finds the initial judgment too lenient. The decision reinforces the judicial system’s stance on upholding strict consequences for sexual violence, emphasizing that such crimes will not be tolerated under any circumstances.