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Bridgerton Star Fights Back After Phone Stolen in London Theft

Bridgerton Star Fights Back After Phone Stolen in London Theft
Published 2 days ago on Jun 11, 2025

Bridgerton Star Genevieve Chenneour Fights Back After Shocking Phone Theft in West London Cafe.

Bridgerton Star Genevieve Chenneour Fights Back After Shocking Phone Theft in West London Cafe.

In a dramatic incident that stunned bystanders and sent shockwaves across social media, Bridgerton actress Genevieve Chenneour was the victim of an attempted phone theft at Joe & The Juice on Kensington High Street. The 27-year-old star, known for her role as Clara Livingston in Netflix's hit period drama, fought back fearlessly after a prolific teenage thief snatched her phone.

The harrowing event took place on February 8 and was caught on CCTV, now released for the first time by MailOnline. The footage shows Chenneour sitting in the trendy West London café with a friend when Zacariah Boulares, 18, stealthily approached from behind. The hooded assailant waited for the moment her friend stepped away to order, then snatched the actress’s phone from the table.

Chenneour immediately leapt into action. In the video, she can be seen blocking Boulares’s escape, forcing the phone out of his grasp, and even striking him with the device to prevent his escape. With the assistance of her friend, she pursued the thief through the cafe, as shocked customers looked on in disbelief.

The confrontation spilled into the rear of the establishment and continued for several minutes before Boulares finally left empty-handed. According to Chenneour, the ordeal left her with a concussion just before the Screen Actors Guild Awards and ongoing emotional trauma.

"They didn’t expect me to stand up for myself – but I did," she told reporters. "Even my dog was traumatised. Getting a coffee shouldn’t be something you need your wits about you for."

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The staff at Joe & The Juice were praised by Chenneour for their swift response and support during and after the incident.

Boulares, now 18, is no stranger to the justice system. With 12 previous convictions spanning 28 offences, he has become notorious for violent crimes across London. Most notably, in July 2023, he threatened renowned Welsh chorister Aled Jones with a 20-inch machete during a violent mugging in Chiswick. Boulares stole Jones’s £17,000 Rolex and threatened to behead him if he continued to pursue him. At the time, Boulares was 16 and could not be publicly named.

After serving just 14 months of a 24-month youth detention sentence, Boulares was released early and quickly returned to his criminal ways. On January 30, 2024, just days before the incident with Chenneour, he also stole a handbag from a diner in a West End pizzeria.

Appearing at Westminster Magistrates' Court on May 29, Boulares pleaded guilty to stealing Chenneour’s phone and assaulting another customer, Carlo Kurcishi, during the scuffle. He also admitted to the handbag theft earlier that month. Boulares has been remanded in custody and will be sentenced on June 17 at Isleworth Crown Court.

This case sheds light on a growing issue in the UK capital. In 2024 alone, over 70,000 mobile phones were reported stolen in London, contributing to a nationwide total of approximately 100,000 thefts. Violent street crime remains a pressing concern for residents and visitors alike.

Genevieve Chenneour is no ordinary victim. Before launching her acting career, she was a decorated athlete and member of Team GB’s artistic swimming squad. She received an Olympic scholarship ahead of the Rio 2016 Games, only for her athletic career to be cut short by injury. Chenneour retrained in acting and broke through in television with her acclaimed role on Bridgerton.

Her resilience in both sport and life has clearly carried over to her response to real-world danger. A source close to Chenneour commented, "Genevieve showed real bravery throughout. It was a very shocking incident. It shows what is happening on London's streets on a daily basis."

As for Boulares, his repeat offenses have sparked criticism of the UK’s juvenile justice system. Despite a history of armed robbery and violent behavior, he was released early and continued to commit crimes unchecked. His criminal record was described as “appalling” by Chairman of the Bench Rex Da Roach during previous court proceedings.

The Detention and Training Order (DTO) under which Boulares was sentenced allows teens aged 12 to 17 to serve half their term in custody and the other half under supervision. Critics argue that this system lacks the deterrent power necessary to prevent recidivism in repeat offenders like Boulares.

The Metropolitan Police released a statement saying: "Police were called to a restaurant on Kensington High Street on Saturday, 8 February following reports of a theft and an assault. CCTV showed the suspect stealing a phone from the table and then assaulting a separate member of the public who confronted him."

Thanks to the brave efforts of Genevieve Chenneour and her friend, the thief did not make off with the phone. Their actions highlight not only individual courage but also the importance of vigilance in an increasingly unpredictable urban environment.

As Chenneour continues to win roles and inspire audiences, her real-life act of bravery stands as a reminder that celebrities, like everyone else, are not immune to crime – but some fight back harder than others.

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