Paris after-school activity leader acquitted of sexual assault charges as court finds evidence insufficient
A Paris court ruled that the behaviour was inappropriate but not criminal, triggering anger among parents of the children who accused him.
The Paris correctional tribunal acquitted Nicolas G., a former after-school activity leader at Titon school in the 11th arrondissement, on 16 June 2026. He had been charged with sexual assault and harassment of minors under 15 following a wave of accusations that shook the city's after-school system.
The charges and the investigation
Nine children told investigators they had received tight hugs, heard violent stories, or been given inappropriate nicknames. The tribunal said in a statement that the facilitator was charged with touching the chests of girls under 15 and with repeatedly making comments or exhibiting behaviour of a sexual or sexist nature.
The facilitator was charged with sexual assault on minors under 15, touching their chests, and harassment of minors under 15 for repeated comments or behaviour of a sexual or sexist nature.
The court's reasoning
The court acknowledged a "comportement inapproprié" on the defendant's part but concluded that the investigation did not demonstrate the humiliating and degrading character of the alleged acts. The judges said the municipal employee should have been reprimanded and given additional training, but that his conduct did not amount to a criminal offence. They also suggested that the psychological condition of the children who claimed to be victims could "résulter de la médiatisation" of the affair.
The material gathered during the investigation did not make it possible to demonstrate the humiliating and degrading nature of the acts complained of.
The prosecution had requested an 18-month suspended prison sentence during the closed-door hearing on 5 May.
First verdict in a widening scandal
This was the first case to go to trial since a slew of allegations surfaced in Paris's after-school programmes. The city's new mayor, Emmanuel Grégoire, announced at the start of June that 132 staff had been suspended between 1 January and 5 June 2026, 52 of them over suspicions of sexual or sexist violence.
- Start of the period during which 132 Paris after-school staff were suspended.
- Closed-door hearing; prosecution requests 18-month suspended prison sentence.
- Mayor Emmanuel Grégoire announces 132 staff suspended since 1 January, 52 for suspected sexual or sexist violence.
- Paris correctional tribunal acquits Nicolas G., ruling the acts do not constitute a criminal offence.
Reaction
Parents of the children expressed anger after the ruling, and some of their lawyers called on the prosecutor to appeal. No appeal decision was announced on the day of the verdict.
