17 years for father who beat his stepson's suspected abuser
A father who beat his stepson's suspected abuser in Belgium has been sentenced to 17 years. The public booed the verdict.
English · Original discussion in Spanish · Published
Seventeen years for defending a child: the sentence dividing Belgium
How much is a child's life worth compared to the letter of the law? In Namur, the Belgian courts answered with 17 years in prison for Grégory Lenoci, the father who assaulted his neighbour, Marc P., whom he accused of sensual abusing his six-year-old stepson. The incivil court found him guilty of premeditated attempted murder on 20 August 2026. The sentence includes ten years of judicial supervision.
The facts
Marc P. was left in a semi-vegetative state, unable to communicate or feed himself. The courtroom erupted in boos when the verdict was read out. Among the shouts could be heard "You are a disgrace to this country" and "All for the paedophiles". The reaction reflects deep unease.
The self-defence debate
Some argue that Lenoci acted the way any father would have wanted to upon learning of an assault on a child. Others point out that vigilante violence has no place in a state governed by the rule of law. The contrast with other sentences adds fuel to the fire: the case is cited of a rapist of a ten-year-old girl sentenced to only five years.
The Belgian justice system has made clear that no shortcuts can be taken. What it has not explained is what to do when the law fails to protect the most vulnerable. Meanwhile, Lenoci will go to prison, and the debate over the defence of minors remains open.
How much is a child's life worth compared to the letter of the law? In Namur, the Belgian courts answered with 17 years in prison for Grégory Lenoci, the father who assaulted his neighbour, Marc P., whom he accused of sensual abusing his six-year-old stepson. The incivil court found him guilty of premeditated attempted murder on 20 August 2026. The sentence includes ten years of judicial supervision.
The facts
Marc P. was left in a semi-vegetative state, unable to communicate or feed himself. The courtroom erupted in boos when the verdict was read out. Among the shouts could be heard "You are a disgrace to this country" and "All for the paedophiles". The reaction reflects deep unease.
The self-defence debate
Some argue that Lenoci acted the way any father would have wanted to upon learning of an assault on a child. Others point out that vigilante violence has no place in a state governed by the rule of law. The contrast with other sentences adds fuel to the fire: the case is cited of a rapist of a ten-year-old girl sentenced to only five years.
The Belgian justice system has made clear that no shortcuts can be taken. What it has not explained is what to do when the law fails to protect the most vulnerable. Meanwhile, Lenoci will go to prison, and the debate over the defence of minors remains open.
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Summary of a discussion on Burbuja.info - Foro de economía, actualidad y política., translated from Spanish and reviewed before publication. Read the full discussion (13 replies).
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