Boy who won social media fame by pushing women into water and squirting cyclists in Paris hires lawyer to sue his critics for 'racism'

Published: 00:43, 6 July 2026 | Updated: 00:43, 6 July 2026 A French tearaway from a broken home accused of being 'anti-social and out-of-control' around a hugely popular Paris tourist spot is set to sue his critics for 'spreading racist hate'. It follows family members including his father telling the Daily Mail that Hamza F. was a 'essentially a kind, decent lad' who was being abused 'by far-Right trouble makers'. Videos of Hamza F. , 14, have gone viral across social media platforms as he torments victims at the Canal Saint-Martin, in the east of the French capital, with a waterpistol. He has recorded himself pushing sunbathing women into the water, threatening cyclists and diners, abusing the police, and tearing down streets on a fast electric scooter. Some have dubbed Hamza 'The Customs Man' because he allegedly charges people two euros – the equivalent of around £1.70 – to avoid being splashed. He spends most of his free time at the Canal Saint-Martin, saying: 'It's my manor – there's fresh air and water.' If anybody stands up to him, then he calls in a gang of friends – including much older boys – who have got into fights on his behalf. Earlier this week, Hamza was briefly arrested and placed in handcuffs by officers, after allegedly stealing a mobile phone and being linked with the trade in illegal cannabis – charges he strenously denied. Hamza (pictured) was seen shooting water into a black Range Rover that had stopped near him He was seen pushing a sunbathing woman into a Paris canal On Friday, his lawyer, Elsa Marcel, said Hamza was being himself being targeted because of his family links to Algeria, France's former North African colony. When the country's football team played Austria in the football World Cup on Friday, Hamza was out with an Algeria flag, and he often uses Arabic slang. There has been 'a torrent of racist hatred,' said Ms Marcel, saying it was accompanied by a 'media offensive launched by far-right figures.' Ms Marcel has filed a complaint against currently unknown parties for 'spreading racist hate' and 'harassment'. She pointed to 'hostile messages and threats', as well as social media posts that 'violate his dignity.' Ms Marcel said: 'Water fights and children's games were thus turned, in the span of a few hours, into a nationwide controversy.' Evidence will now be examined by a magistrate, with a view to launching prosecutions of anyone suspected of attacking Hamza. The Daily Mail has chosen not to show Hamza's face, and is only referring to him by the first initial of his surname. One Lime bike rider was soaked by a crowd as he tried to cycle away  He was arrested yesterday for allegedly stealing someone's phone We tracked his father down to a council flat in the 20th arrondissement of Paris, while his mother lives around eight miles further north on a notorious estate known as La Courneuve, in the Seine-Saint-Denis department. His father – who asked not to be named – said: 'Hamza is a nice kid. He doesn't hurt anyone. He jokes around with people, and doesn't stay cooped up at home' Another relative said: 'This has all got out of control. In the end he's just a kid letting off steam in hot weather – like millions of kids do around the world. 'His worst behaviour is firing a waterpistol at people, yet some are making out that he's some kind of gangster. 'In fact, he's done well at a school, and has ambitions for the future. He'll be fine. He's just a very young teenager doing what young teenagers do.' Hamza is a pupil at the Roland-Dorgelès middle school in the 18th arrondissement of Paris, and is currently preparing for exams. The family member – who asked not to be identified – confirmed that the family was very proud of its Algerian roots, and was also happy to have settled in France. There was a huge influx of Algerians to France after the Second World War, as the country needed a workforce to rebuild infrastructure destroyed by German, RAF and American bombing. Hamza was seen spraying a police car with his water pistol Hamza was allegedly seen stealing a bottle from a shop in Paris At the time, colonised Algeria was viewed as a part of France, and had its own MPs in the Paris parliament. A fierce campaign was launched to keep Algeria French, but it failed in 1962 when the French lost militarily to Algerian nationalists. Like many French people from ethnic and religious minorities, Hamza's family has regularly been discriminated against, said the source. Politicians have been among those portraying Hamza as a prime example of juvenile delinquents who are out of control. There has been particular criticism from far-Right parties, such as the National Rally and Reconquest. Hamza himself said he was a supporter of Emmanuel Grégoire, the Socialist Mayor of Paris. When the Canal Saint-Martin was opened for swimming at the start of the current heatwave, Hamza said he met the politician. 'I shouted 'Mr Mayor – I love you!' and then jumped into the water from a bridge,' said Hamza. In trun, Mr Gregoire shouted back: 'That's not right [jumping off a bridge] but thanks anyway.' No comments have so far been submitted. Why not be the first to send us your thoughts, or debate this issue live on our message boards. By posting your comment you agree to our house rules. Do you want to automatically post your MailOnline comments to your Facebook Timeline? Your comment will be posted to MailOnline as usual. 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