Bridgerton star fights off prolific phone thief as crowds watch on
Bridgerton actress Genevieve Chenneour bravely defended herself after being targeted by a prolific London criminal while getting lunch.
The 27-year-old star's real-life drama was thoroughly modern as she fought off a phone thief in Joe & the Juice.
Chenneour, who plays Clara Livingston in Netflix's beloved show, was waiting for her order at the chain cafe on Kensington High Street, London.
The thief, who the Daily Mail identified as Zacariah Boulares, 18, quietly snuck up behind her and grabbed her phone, which was placed on the counter.
Immediately, Chenneour sprang into action as she spun around and grabbed his arm while another man came to her aid.
Wake up to find news on your TV shows in your inbox every morning with Metro's TV Newsletter.
Sign up to our newsletter and then select your show in the link we'll send you so we can get TV news tailored to you.
CCTV footage shows her freeing her phone from his grasp as she pushes him to the ground and fights back against the hooded criminal.
In court on May 29, Boulares pleaded guilty to stealing her phone as well as assaulting another customer.
The actress previously told the Mail: 'They didn't expect me to stand up for myself – but I did.'
'I was left with a concussion just before the Screen Actors Guild Awards and since then, I've felt constantly on edge,' she shared.
'Even my dog was traumatised – now, if anyone touches me, he panics and tries to protect me. Getting a coffee shouldn't be something you need your wits about you for.'
Chenneour added that she was thankful to the staff in store who were 'incredible' during the incident, and she has returned to see since.
She retrained as an actress after winning an Olympic scholarship to train for Team GB's artistic swimming team at the age of 15.
Unfortunately an injury prevented her from going pro but after being a stunt double for underwater scenes in Gateway To The West she landed a role on Bridgerton.
Boulares reportedly also threatened Aled Jones with a machete 18 months prior, as he stole the star's £17,000 Rolex watch while in West London.
He was jailed for 14 months in a young offenders centre after the incident in October 2023, getting released 10 months early.
At the hearing regarding Chenneour's case, he also admitted to stealing a handbag at a pizza restaurant in London's West End in January this year.
In a message on her Instagram, the Bridgerton debutante thanked fans for their support after the attack.
'I'm okay and incredibly grateful he won't be able to harm anyone else,' she said. 'I am, however, finding it difficult to feel safe going out – especially after being repeatedly threatened with being stabbed in the face.'
Chenneour revealed that the man at the end of the video had threatened to stab her, turning it into a 'life or death' situation'in her mind'.
This second man has been released due to a lack of evidence and won't be going to court, according to the star.
A spokesman for the Met Police said: '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. More Trending
'The victim of the assault was kicked and punched before the suspect left the premises.
'CCTV enquiries identified Zacariah Boulares as the suspect and he was arrested. Boulares, 18, was charged with common assault and theft.'
View More »
He will be sentenced later this month.
Got a story?
If you've got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the Metro.co.uk entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@metro.co.uk, calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we'd love to hear from you.
MORE: 'Raw' thriller with unbelievable twist shoots to the top of Netflix chart
MORE: Missing woman found 'safe and well' three months after she disappeared
MORE: Netflix fans threaten to cancel subscriptions over 'worst update possible'
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Mail
15 minutes ago
- Daily Mail
Former James Bond Pierce Brosnan joins co-star Helen Mirren's calls to ensure new 007 is a man following fears the iconic franchise was being taken over by 'woke' Hollywood
Former James Bond star Pierce Brosnan has joined Helen Mirren 's calls for the new 007 to be male, following Amazon's £770M takeover of the iconic franchise. The actor, 72, who starred as the secret agent between in four films 1995 to 2002, said he was excited to see the 'next man' that will replace Daniel Craig. Meanwhile Helen, 80, who appears alongside him in the new Netflix mystery The Thursday Murder Club, said Bond could never be a woman. She told SAGA: 'I'm such a feminist, but James Bond has to be a guy. You can't have a woman. It just doesn't work. James Bond has to be James Bond, otherwise it becomes something else.' While Pierce said: 'I'm so excited to see the next man come on the stage and to see a whole new exuberance and life for this character. I adore the world of James Bond '. 'It's been very good to me. It's the gift that keeps giving. And I'm just a member of the audience now, sitting back, saying: 'Show us what you're going to do'. Oscar winning Helen previously slammed the James Bond franchise, despite her deep admiration for the actors who have played the character. She told The Standard earlier this year:'I have to say I was never a great ward [of Bond], I'm a huge fan of Pierce Brosnan '. 'He also happens to be one of the nicest people you'll ever have the pleasure to work with,' she continued. 'And indeed Daniel Craig, who I've met and know a little bit. Again, a very lovely gracious person.' But while she holds Pierce and Daniel in high regard, Helen has little affection for the Bond franchise itself. 'The whole series of James Bond was actually not my thing, It really wasn't. I never liked James Bond. I never liked the way women were in James Bond.' She also said she was 'opposed' to a female 007: 'The whole concept of James Bond is drenched and born out of profound sexism.' Helen went on to insist espionage stories centered on real-life women deserve the spotlight. 'Women have always been a major and incredibly important part of the Secret Service, they always have been,' she explained. 'And very brave. If you hear about what women did in the French Resistance, they're amazingly, unbelievably courageous. 'So I would tell real stories about extraordinary women who've worked in that world.' It comes following The Mail On Sunday's reporting that 007 will remain a man and will still be British or from the Commonwealth. Fans of 007 feared Amazon Studios – owned by billionaire Jeff Bezos – would corrupt the British super spy after buying the Bond franchise and rights for £770 million from Bond stewards Barbara Broccoli and Michael G Wilson. But a source said: 'There have been so many erroneous rumours about the future of Bond. Amazon is committed to keeping the spirit of Bond alive and that means he has to be British or from the Commonwealth – and he has to be male.' Ms Broccoli and Mr Wilson have fiercely protected the image of the British hero since taking over Eon Productions, the UK company behind previous Bond films, in 1995. Ms Broccoli is said to have insisted on Bond remaining British before agreeing to sell. Eon was founded by her father and Mr Wilson's stepfather, Albert 'Cubby' Broccoli, who bought the film rights to the martini-sipping, womanising spy from Bond creator Ian Fleming in 1961. There have since been 25 Bond films, starting with 1962's Dr No. But last month Ms Broccoli, 64, and Mr Wilson, 83, announced they had sold all creative rights to Amazon, headed by bald-headed Mr Bezos, who some fans compare to a Bond villain. Fans complained Amazon's plans to develop spin-off shows including one focusing on the early days of 007's secretary Miss Moneypenny would ruin the franchise. And they feared Amazon would try to 'wokeify' Bond. But last night an Amazon insider said: 'Jeff is a massive Bond fan and while he's excited to see how Amazon can take the franchise forward there are certain things which are sacrosanct. That's why the memo went out this week, to reassure everyone. 'But certain things are up for discussion, like whether the next Bond should be played by a man of colour.' The last Bond film was 2021's No Time To Die, starring Daniel Craig and Lea Seydoux.
Daily Mail
15 minutes ago
- Daily Mail
Kim Kardashian shares intimate never-before-seen photo with late dad Robert Kardashian and mom Kris Jenner
Kim Kardashian took a trip down memory lane as she shared a never-before-seen photo with her late father Robert Kardashian on Sunday. The reality TV star, 44, took to Instagram with the nostalgic image, which featured her as a little girl standing next to the attorney — who died at the age of 59 from esophageal cancer — and her mom Kris Jenner, 69. The image saw Kris with her arms around Robert, both of them smiling at the camera, along with their daughter. 'Dad, Mom and Me,' the SKIMS founder captioned the post. Kris was married to Robert from 1978 until their divorce in 1991. Aside from Kim, they also welcomed daughters Kourtney, 46, and Khloe, 41, as well as son Rob, 38. Kim — who recently tried to purchase a family heirloom connected to her father but was rejected — was 22 years old when her father passed away from in September 2003. 'Dad, Mom and Me,' the SKIMS founder captioned the post In 1998, seven years after his divorce from Kris was finalized, Robert married Jan Ashley; however, the marriage ended in annulment 30 days later. After dating for three years, the Los Angeles native married his third wife, Ellen Pierson (née Markowitz), six weeks prior to his death. Meanwhile Kris married Olympic decathlete Caitlyn Jenner (formerly Bruce), 75, in 1991, shortly after her divorce from Robert was finalized. They had two daughters together, Kendall, 29, and Kylie Jenner, 28. Kim is currently studying to become a lawyer, like her father. In May, she completed her law school program after a six year journey. She still needs to pass the Bar Exam to practice law in the state. In 2020, Kim said she hoped that her father would be 'so proud' to see her pursuing a career in law and says whenever she gets 'frustrated' with studying, she thinks of him. 'He must've been going through some of the same things that I have gone through. It would have been exciting to talk to him about that, and I know that he would be so, so proud,' she said. Kim has been working on prison reform in recent years, and hopes setting up her own law firm will help get former inmates into work. In March, Kim's attempt to purchase a family heirloom connected to her late father was rejected by O.J. Simpson's estate. The estate's executor, Malcom LaVergne, revealed that they, sadly, had to turn down her $15,000 offer on the Bible her dad gifted Simpson, who died on April 10, 2024, because it was 'too late to purchase it outside the auction.' Kim is currently studying to become a lawyer, like her father. In May, she completed her law school program after a six year journey. She still needs to pass the Bar Exam to practice law LaVergne revealed to TMZ that Kim's team contacted him the month prior, after learning some of Simpson's personal effects were going up for auction. This included a Bible, featuring a handwritten note inside, penned by Robert to Simpson. The inscription reads: 'OJ, this book will help. God loves you and he will speak to you with his words. Read this book every day. God has a definite plan for your life. You are His child and He will use you again. I love you and God loves you. - Robert.' LaVergne previously revealed that the bible was given to 'The Juice' while he was in jail after his two-hour chase across Southern California in his white Ford Bronco. Inside the front cover, there contains an inscription to Simpson from Kardashian that is dated June 18, 1994 - exactly a day after the former NFL star's arrest. In an email sent to LaVergne from Kim's team, he was informed that due to the 'sentimental value' the item held to Kim, she was 'willing to offer $15,000' to purchase the Bible. By the time he received the email, LaVergne says the Bible 'was already under contract and court order to be sold to pay off O.J.'s debt.' Just weeks after the late NFL star's estate turned down Kim's offer to buy it, the family heirloom officially sold at auction for $65,800 — or $80,276 with its buyer's premium, according to its listing on Goldin Auctions' website. The item received 49 bids total. Robert, a devout Christian, and Simpson met in the 1960s or 1970s while they were both at the University of Southern California (USC). Later, they reconnected while playing tennis at a mutual friend's house. Robert infamously supported Simpson during his 1995 trial for the murders of his ex-wife Nicole Brown Simpson and her friend Ron Goldman.
Metro
2 hours ago
- Metro
Moment light aircraft crashes into Sydney golf course
To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video Dramatic footage showed the moment a light aircraft crash-landed onto a golf course in Sydney. Both the pilot and the one passenger on board miraculously survived the crash at the Mona Vale Golf Course on the Northern Beaches on Sunday. The Piper Cherokee was captured flopping towards the ground during an emergency landing, sending parts of the aircraft flying as it hit the green at around 2pm local time. Onlookers rushed to check the status of the instructor and student on board, who were both able to escape the wreckage relatively unharmed. Both men, thought to be in their 50s, had minor injuries and were treated on the scene by paramedics. Flight records show the plane had left Camden and was destined for Wollangong before making the sudden landing. Pictures of the crashed jet show its starboard or right wing severely damaged, while the landing gear appeared to have come off. Keanu Turnewitsch was enjoying a round of golf with his friend when he saw a 'nice big shadow' cast over the green, before hearing a crunching sound. He told ABC news: 'All the ambulances and everything started coming past and sirens for 20, 30 minutes.' Another witness said the aircraft 'just fell from the sky', adding: 'It was crazy, we literally just heard this noise, and then all of a sudden it went bang.' It comes after a light aircraft was found crashed in a field in Staffordshire. More Trending The plane, with a broken a wing and tail was discovered in Cotes Heath near Stone on August 8. No injuries had been reported, with the plane having made an emergency landing. A spokesperson for the Air Accidents Investigation Branch said: 'An accident involving a light aircraft was reported to the AAIB on 8 August. 'An investigation has been launched, and we have begun making enquiries.' Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@ For more stories like this, check our news page. MORE: Pop duo cancel shows after scary moment sees member collapse on stage MORE: 'Dying people pay me £5,000 to crash their funerals and reveal their secrets' MORE: Australian presenter and TV star David Stratton dies aged 85
