A 19-year-old man was sentenced to four years in prison in Nantes, France, for a series of homophobic assaults and thefts he committed in a local park between June and July 2025. The Nantes correctional court charged him with five homophobic assaults and several violent thefts. The park, known as a meeting place for members of the LGBTQ+ community, became the scene of these crimes, which were reported by multiple victims. The accused led victims to more isolated parts of the park after making suggestive gestures or giving "unambiguous" glances, according to accounts given during the trial. One victim described being taken to a quiet area before being struck in the face multiple times and strangled. Others reported similar experiences. The accused admitted to committing theft and violence but denied that his actions were motivated by the victims' sexual orientation. He claimed he had no intention of targeting people based on their sexuality, stating, "I didn't understand, am I homophobic or am I homosexual?" He said he lured men to secluded areas "to steal from them." Another victim provided a different account, explaining that she encountered the accused while he was holding a stick. He allegedly asked for her wallet and then hit her repeatedly with the branch. She clarified that he did not make any suggestive gestures or make any homophobic remarks. The accused, who was aware that the park was a gathering place for LGBTQ+ individuals, claimed he needed money and apologized multiple times during the hearing. The prosecutor had requested a four-year prison sentence, with one year on probation, describing the accused as someone who "hunted" in a "specific location." His lawyer, Me Samy Robert, pointed out that the young man had no prior criminal record. The accused was arrested in July 2025 after a new assault was reported, and he was also convicted of "rebellion" during his arrest.