French Court Tries Two Officers, Fingers Them for Rape of a Canadian Tourist
In a shocking turn of events at the iconic 36 Quai des Orfevres, the police headquarters known from detective novels, two officers—Nicolas Redouane (49) and Antoine Quirin (40)—got more than a badge shot. They walked away with a seven‑year prison sentence for raping a 39‑year‑old Canadian tourist, Emily Spanton.
What Went Down
- Spanton met the pair during a night out on April 22, 2014 at a bar near the police HQ.
- They ushered her to their office—yes, the 36—where they’d secretly been boarding the elite BRI anti‑gang unit.
- Despite claiming it was consensual, the court found the evidence and Spanton’s unwavering testimony didn’t lie.
Judge’s Verdict
Commander Stéphane Duchemin, presiding over the case, was convinced by the victim’s steadfast statements and supported by a bundle of scientific and technical evidence. The verdict? 7 years behind bars for each officer.
And the Henchmen Pay
On top of the jail time, the officers must also cough up €20,000 (about S$30,000) in damages. It’s a fitting reminder that crimes against people can–and should—have tangible consequences.
Final Words
From a police headquarters that’s as legendary in fiction as it is in reality, there’s a sobering lesson: power can corrupt, and justice is now making sure these officers face the reckoning they deserve.
When Police Go Rogue: The Paris Court Drama You Didn’t Sign Up For
Picture this: a time‑clocked whistle‑blowing scandal at the heart of Paris’s nondescript police HQ – the very place that used to be known as “the 36” because there were 36 glaring rooms. Five guys on the police roster, four of them now dressed in handcuffs, were hauled into the Criminal Court in the capital with a very grim ticket: a seven‑year jail sentence, as per prosecutor Philippe Courroye.
Courroye didn’t hold back, labeling the officers as the “easy prey.” “These guys weren’t real policemen; they were usurpers wearing the wrong badges and acting straight out of the very squad they’re supposed to protect.” He also played the dramatic part of the narrator, imagining a night when the crew holed up in a fifth‑floor office that even the heat‑lover’s desk lights couldn’t keep alive.
Emily Spanton’s Night to Never Forget
Our heroine, Emily Spanton, swore she’d gone to Athens to see the “36” – she imagined a night of crowds, lights, and, well, typical nightlife. Instead, she found herself standing in an empty office, going from “pumped” to “Pooooop!” in a split second.
She panicked, stammered, and only managed to drop a crisp “I was raped” into the heads of a handful of cops. The police, with their unmatched sense of humor, only looked at her like a confused drunk and handed her a polite “Well, go home.”
To top it off, the crime scene wasn’t even cordoned off, tickets for a breathalyser test didn’t even bother to appear, and the officers got to go home in record time. Like that one time you forgot to lock the door but the house still rented itself out, right?
What the Court Heard
- Redouane’s Emotion‑Packed Denial: “I’m not a rapist. As a police officer I should never have brought Emily to the BRI office. I’ve always had good relationships with women – but this isn’t one of them.”
- Quirin’s Dry‑Humor Redemption: “Five‑year nightmare? Maybe. Unfaithful? Sure. Raped: never.”
- Anne‑Laure’s Legal Jargon: “We never proved beyond a shadow that there was no consent.”
As they spoke, both defendants sat a few metres from their accuser and sobbed, feeling like two kids in an awkward, overlooked school lunch table. It was almost a comedy of tragic misunderstandings – type of drama that could make a sitcom feel less than entertaining.
And That’s the Bottom Line!
- Glaring investigative missteps: no cordon, no breathalyser, cops leaving early.
- Victim Emily Spanton was treated with the empathy of a night‑club bouncer after a night out.
- Defenders proclaimed innocence while secretly editing the narrative in their own hats.
- The police HQ now lives in a new building down the street, but not every scandal has found its new home.
So, if you thought the “36” was just a historical fun fact, think again. The story just proved that the real-life “clash of cliches” happens every day, and even the police can get rumpled—if they’re not showing up with the right attitude. The verdict? Well, the city will keep paving the streets while maybe adding a cautionary sign on “unintended workplace interventions.”
