A 71-year-old man is on trial in France, accused of drugging his wife and inviting dozens of strangers to rape her in their home over nearly a decade, in a case that has shocked the country.

Frenchman accused of letting dozens of men rape his drugged wife

Dominique Pelicot, the main defendant, had been due to testify after a delay earlier this week when he was admitted to hospital.

Frenchman on trial for mass rape of wife 'unwell', questioning postponed

The presiding judge granted defense lawyer Beatrice Zavarro's demand on Wednesday (September 11) that Pelicot, who appeared in court frail and leaning on a cane, again be excused.

Zavarro said her client was "still in a lot of pain" and not in a condition to withstand a full day hearing after starting to show symptoms of what could be a bladder infection on Friday (September 6).

Pelicot was sent back to jail for a medical assessment and it was not immediately clear when he would be in a condition to testify in court.

Prosecutors said Pelicot offered sex with his heavily sedated wife on a website and filmed the abuse. Fifty other men accused of taking part in the abuse are also on trial.

Tearful trauma at Frenchman's trial over recruiting dozens to rape wife

Zavarro has told French media Pelicot admits to his crimes. Some of the other defendants have admitted their guilt while others say they thought the wife had pretended to be asleep, according to French media.

They each face up to 20 years in jail if found guilty.

(Production: Antony Paone, Lucien Libert)