Nordahl Lelandais in Court of Appeal for Sexual Assault on His Young Cousin

Another legal chapter for the murderer of Maëlys and Arthur Noyer

On Wednesday, February 26, Nordahl Lelandais appeared before the Court of Appeal in Reims for the sexual assault of his young cousin, a case he denies. In January 2024, he was sentenced to one year in prison in the first instance by the Charleville-Mézières criminal court for these events that occurred in 2017.

The incident took place during the funeral of the victim’s father, when the 14-year-old girl was mourning at home with her family. On that day, her cousin joined her and embraced her. The victim later described feeling his hands move down her back before settling on her buttocks insistently. Despite her resistance, Lelandais continued by touching her chest. Frightened, the girl tried to get away, but he allegedly threatened to kill her if she spoke about what had happened.

Lelandais, who denies the charges against him, appealed the conviction. On Wednesday, he appeared before the court under a new identity. Incarcerated for several years for the murders of Maëlys and Arthur Noyer, he changed his legal name while in detention, taking his mother’s surname. He is now known as Nordahl Périnet.

This hearing marks another chapter in the legal journey of the former soldier, who has already been convicted of murder but continues to defend himself in this sexual assault case.