Belgian Vigilante Sentenced: 17 Years for Neighbor Attack

A Belgian father was sentenced to 17 years in prison on 20 August 2026 for the attempted murder of his neighbor, whom he suspected of sexually abusing his six-year-old stepson. The Namur correctional court found Grégory Lenoci, 49, guilty of attempted assassination with premeditation, rejecting his claim that he lost control during the confrontation. The verdict has divided public opinion and reignited debate over vigilante justice in Belgium.

What Led to the Attack?

Lenoci, a resident of Jambes near Namur, believed his neighbor Marc P. had abused his girlfriend's young son. The neighbor had a prior conviction: in December 2020, Marc P. was sentenced for sexually assaulting a child aged 4 to 7 over a period of three years. He received a 37-month suspended sentence with probation, mandatory psychological therapy, and a ban on contact with minors. However, families in the neighborhood later claimed those probation conditions were never properly enforced, a failure that has become central to the public debate about Belgium's handling of convicted child abusers.

The Neighbor's Prior Conviction

According to Belgian media, Lenoci filed a police complaint on 22 July 2025 after his stepson reportedly told him disturbing stories suggesting abuse by the neighbor. Local reports indicate the complaint was either dismissed for lack of evidence or that police action was considered too slow by Lenoci. Frustrated, he took matters into his own hands.

The July 2025 Confrontation

On 24 July 2025, Lenoci invited Marc P. to his home under a pretext. Once inside, Lenoci confronted him about the abuse allegations. The neighbor allegedly admitted the abuse during the confrontation, according to Lenoci's account. Lenoci then beat him severely, filmed the scene with his own phone, and later posted the video on social media. In the footage, Lenoci can be heard shouting, "Stay away from the children." Marc P. was later found unconscious in a pool of blood and has since remained in a semi-vegetative state, unable to communicate, feed himself, or move independently.

Court Rejects Self-Defense Claim

Lenoci turned himself in to police on 29 July 2025. His defense lawyer argued that he had been overwhelmed by emotion after hearing what the neighbor allegedly did to his stepson and asked for acquittal. Lenoci told the court, "I didn't want to kill him, but I lost control when the neighbor told me what he had done to my stepson." The court dismissed this argument, pointing to evidence of planning and intent.

Evidence of Premeditation

Prosecutors established premeditation through several factors: SMS exchanges before the attack, statements Lenoci made to a psychologist, witness testimony, and his decision to film the incident and publish it online. The court ruled that filming and distributing the video was incompatible with a genuine loss of self-control. Expert reports also described Lenoci as having an unstable personality and a high risk of violent reoffending, which justified a severe sentence.

Sentence and Compensation

The Namur correctional court sentenced Lenoci to 17 years in prison, plus an additional 10 years under the supervision of the sentence enforcement court. He was also ordered to pay 10,000 euros in compensation to the victim. Lenoci has 30 days to appeal the verdict. During the sentencing, he shouted and cursed in the courtroom and had to be removed by several police officers.

Public Reaction and Vigilante Justice Debate

Around 50 people gathered outside the Namur courthouse holding posters in support of Lenoci, while others inside the courtroom reacted with hostile shouts. The case has sparked fierce debate about whether the Belgian justice system adequately protects children from repeat offenders and whether citizens are justified in taking the law into their own hands. Legal experts emphasize that the verdict reinforces the state's monopoly on violence, a principle the prosecution explicitly invoked. The case also highlights serious concerns about probation supervision for sex offenders in Belgium, as neighbors claim Marc P.'s restrictions were not monitored. Another complaint against Marc P. from a different father in the street is reportedly pending, involving allegations that Marc P. abused his daughter and kept sexualized photos of the girl on his phone.

FAQ

What was Grégory Lenoci sentenced for? Lenoci was convicted of attempted assassination with premeditation for attacking his neighbor Marc P., leaving him in a semi-vegetative state. He received 17 years in prison plus 10 years of post-sentence supervision.

Why did Lenoci attack his neighbor? Lenoci believed Marc P. had sexually abused his six-year-old stepson. The neighbor had a prior 2020 conviction for sexually assaulting a young child and was serving a suspended sentence with probation conditions.

Where did the attack take place? The attack occurred on 24 July 2025 in Lenoci's home in Jambes, near Namur, Belgium. Lenoci lured the neighbor there under a pretext before the confrontation turned violent.

Did the court accept Lenoci's claim of losing control? No. The court ruled that premeditation was established by SMS exchanges, statements to a psychologist, and his decision to film and publish the attack, which was incompatible with a loss of self-control.

Can Lenoci appeal the sentence? Yes. He has 30 days from the verdict date (20 August 2026) to file an appeal.