A Dutch man dubbed by French media the “dentist of horror” went on trial on Tuesday after allegedly causing horrific injuries to the mouths of more than 100 patients in France.
Jacobus van Nierop, 51, ripped out healthy teeth and left dozens of patients in a remote French village with broken jaws, recurrent abscesses and septicaemia.
He is charged with aggravated assault, as well as fraud over claims that he tried to rip off patients and insurance companies, and faces up to 10 years in prison and a US$165,000 fine if found guilty.
Although he is not required to offer a plea under French law, Van Nierop has previously sought to deflect responsibility, saying he suffers from “psychological problems” including gender identity issues and suicidal tendencies.
He hid his face under a blanket as he arrived at the court in Nevers in central France, near the rural area of Chateau-Chinon where he came to work in 2008. He has already been detained for 18 months in the case.
Van Nierop, who went by the first name of Mark, was hired by a headhunter and was initially welcomed by locals who were sorely lacking in medical services.