Bridgerton Actress Confronts Phone Thief in London Cafe
Genevieve Chenneour, known for her role in the hit Netflix series Bridgerton, had a tense encounter in a London cafe earlier this year. In February, while visiting a Joe & the Juice location in Kensington, Chenneour was targeted by an 18-year-old named Zakaria Bourress, who is originally from Algeria. On February 8, he approached her from behind and snatched her phone, as reported by New York Post.
In a dramatic moment captured on camera, Chenneour confronted Bourress when he attempted to flee. She pushed him back, causing him to drop the phone. After retrieving it, she hit him multiple times. Another individual then approached her, leading to a brief exchange.
Chenneour later mentioned that she sustained a concussion during the incident and claimed that Bourress threatened her repeatedly once she regained her phone.
Since the event, she has decided to take a break from living in London due to the trauma she experienced, according to revelations from Daily Mail.
Reflecting on her swift reaction, Chenneour noted, “I think I have a very quick response thanks to growing up with three brothers and being a cardiac boxer. It felt instinctual. Plus, my training for fights in acting helped.”
In related news, Standard reported on Bourress’s criminal background. He has a history of offenses, including a robbery where he threatened television star Aled Jones with a machete to steal a Rolex worth £17,000.
In July 2023, while still 16, he received a two-year detention and training order for an assault at a praise event in West London. Presently, Bourress is detained at Wormwood Scrubs Prison and is facing sentencing at Allworth Crown Court on June 17 for multiple charges, including theft.
Notably, he also stole an older Rolex from a man at Paddington Station in 2023, according to reports. Chenneour expressed concern over safety in London, stating, “It feels increasingly dangerous, and we shouldn’t normalize this. I’m not speaking just for myself; it’s for many people.”
