[bbfan1991]

man in France is required to pay 10,000 euros (£8,800 / $14,100) for refusing to sleep with his wife.

Jean-Louis and Monique have two children from their 21-year marriage, but hadn't had sex with each other for "several years".

Monique eventually chose to both sue and divorce her husband, reports The Daily Mail.

In court, Jean-Louis claimed that his job and ill health were factors in the later sexless years of their marriage.

The court ruled in Monique's favour, and the judge stated: "A sexual relationship between husband and wife is the expression of affection they have for each other, and in this case it was absent.

"By getting married, couples agree to sharing their life and this clearly implies they will have sex with each other."