A jury in Guadeloupe has found that former magistrate Jean-Pierre Landi is guilty of the sexual assault of his then minor step-daughters.
The verdict was handed down by the jury, which was made up of six women and two men, last evening after a few hours of deliberation.
Landi,64, was sentenced will serve eight years in prison followed by five years of psychological supervision.
He will also have to register as a sex offender.
Prosecutors were seeking a prison term of at least 10 years.
He has 10 days to appeal the matter.
During the two day trial that began on Wednesday, it was revealed that Landi’s abuse of the girls occurred between 2010 and 2017.
It was only revealed in early 2017 when the older victim told a classmate.
Medical exams showed both sisters were victims of sexual abuse.
Former investigator Denis Montantin, told the court that Landi denied having intercourse with the girls but admitted to touching them inappropriately.
In a comment to local media, his ex-wife Lucile Rossin expressed some level of satisfaction with the verdict and hopes that the shame that her daughter’s endured over the last few years will be transferred to their abuser.
“Shame must change sides. They are victims. They need not be ashamed. They didn’t do anything wrong,” she told La Première.