A 46-year-old Egyptian man has been found guilty in France of 12 counts of sexual assaults committed between September 2024 and January 2025 in the towns of Nice and Cagnes-sur-Mer. Eight of the victims were children. Despite the verdict and a lengthy criminal record for similar offenses, the convicted man will not serve a single day in prison—unless he reoffends.
Identified as Arnaud Y., the man stood trial before the Criminal Court of Nice, in the presence of numerous victims and their families. The victims ranged in age from 11 to 16. According to authorities, Arnaud Y., born in Cairo, has a long history as a repeat offender specialized in assaults, with 12 previous convictions and six stints in prison. His criminal pattern has earned him the label of a “sex nomad,” roaming various regions of France. However, he clearly prefers the French Riviera during the summer, when youth presence on the beaches increases.
One of his methods involved pretending to be a reflexologist and offering foot massages to gain physical access without raising suspicion. On multiple occasions, he would approach individuals, often minors, and persuade them to remove their shoes, taking the opportunity to touch the soles of their feet.
Some hearings during the trial were held behind closed doors due to the presence of minors. In one such session, the court was shown a video of the defendant assaulting one of his victims—footage considered crucial in understanding his modus operandi. “This will help us understand how this man operates,” said the defense attorney, shortly before the courtroom was cleared.
The defendant admitted to the acts. A psychiatric report diagnosed him with “schizoid behavior with perverse tendencies.” Ultimately, the court handed down a suspended prison sentence of three years, to be enforced only if he reoffends. He was also placed under judicial and social supervision for ten years. Prosecutor Maître Jennifer Salles was firm: “If he fails to comply, he will go to prison for three years.”
Arnaud Y. is prohibited from working with minors or residing in the Alpes-Maritimes department for the next five years. After that period, assuming he has not reoffended, he may resume working with children.
“We are dealing with a highly concerning individual suffering from a serious disorder. All his convictions have been for sexual assaults, each time more severe. It was vital to stop him from causing further harm,” said the lawyer representing two of the victims. One of them, just 13 years old at the time of the events, read a powerful statement in court. The other, who was 17 when she was assaulted, could not attend: now an adult, she reportedly attempted suicide shortly after the events due to the psychological toll, according to Salles.