The atmosphere was tense on Wednesday, when the defense in a mass rape trial released intimate photos of Gisèle Pelicot, intended to demonstrate the defendants' good faith.

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.

Dominique Pelicot admitted to drugging his wife and recruiting dozens of strangers to rape her over nearly a decade, begging for his family's forgiveness, as he told a French court on Tuesday: "I am a rapist.