Joshua Goldman
Joshua Goldman
min read · June 12, 2025 · Entertainment

Bridgerton Star's Brave Stand Against Phone Thief Shakes London Life

Genevieve Chenneour, 27, bravely defended herself after Zacariah Boulares, 18, snuck up behind her and grabbed her phone in Joe & The Juice on Kensington High Street, west London, on February 8

PHONE THIEF TERROR: Bridgerton Star Reveals Harrowing Ordeal with Knife-Wielding Thief

In a shocking revelation, Genevieve Chenneour, the talented 27-year-old actress who stars as rumor-monger Clara Livingston in Netflix's hit period drama Bridgerton, has come forward to share her terrifying experience of being mugged by a knife-wielding thief. The harrowing encounter left her shaken to the core and even forced her to flee London for a while.

The incident occurred on February 8 at Joe & The Juice coffee shop on Kensington High Street in west London when Genevieve was attacked by Zacariah Boulares, an 18-year-old with a string of previous convictions. In an exclusive interview with This Morning's Ben Shephard and Cat Deeley, Genevieve recounted the terrifying details of the incident.

MailOnline exclusively revealed yesterday CCTV footage (pictured) of the shocking attack on the rising star at the upmarket coffee shop

A Life-Changing Moment

The actress revealed that the entire ordeal lasted around five minutes, but felt like an eternity to her. "It kind of went round the corner and it turned into a full-on scrap with two people [Boulares and his accomplice]," Genevieve explained. "And I was threatened with being stabbed so it became a real matter, in my mind, of life and death." She recounted how she had to think on her feet, using her quick reflexes and fight training to defend herself.

A Brave Defense

The British actress is known as rumour-monger Clara Livingston (pictured) in Netflix period drama Bridgerton

Genevieve bravely confronted her attacker, pinning him to the floor for much of the time. "I don't know if I would advise anybody else to do it," she said with a hint of caution. "I think I have very quick reactions, thanks to having three brothers growing up and I'm an aviated carded boxer." She confessed that her fight training, which is often used for her acting roles, kicked in during the incident.

A Terrifying Aftermath

The attack had a profound impact on Genevieve's life. "I didn't want to go outside," she admitted. "Leaving the house was really hard." The experience left her feeling agoraphobic and anxious about her surroundings. She even had to take a break from London, where she had been living for seven years.

She told Ben, 50, and Cat, 48, the whole incident lasted around five minutes in total, with her pinning her attacker to the floor for much of that time

A Shared Trauma

Genevieve's story sparked conversations with other victims of phone theft, who shared similar experiences of anxiety and fear. "It opened up so many conversations with people that I know and don't know," she said. "I've been really made aware of how many people are living with that anxiety." Her words highlight the growing concern about mobile phone theft in London.

Expert Advice

Genievieve explained: 'I was threatened with being stabbed so it became a real matter, in my mind, of life and death'

Former Chief Superintendent Parm Sandu joined Genevieve on the show, sharing expert advice on how to react if you're a victim of phone theft. "Genevieve was very brave and I commend her for that," Parm said, "but I would not recommend anyone fights back." She emphasized the importance of staying safe and reporting incidents immediately.

Prevention is Key

Parm Sandu's words of wisdom centered around prevention. "If you've got a strap around your wrist as well [on your phone case], it's harder for them to snatch it and run," she advised. She also recommended finding out what your IMEI number is, making a record of it in case of theft, and reporting the incident to the police and service provider immediately.

The star admitted the horrifying experience left her terrified in the immediate aftermath: 'I didn't want to go outside'

The Full Story Unfolds

This shocking story raises questions about the safety of London's streets and the need for stricter measures to prevent phone theft. Genevieve Chenneour's bravery in sharing her experience has sparked a much-needed conversation about mobile phone security and personal safety.

In related news, Zacariah Boulares has been linked to another high-profile incident involving Aled Jones, where he threatened to behead the Welsh singer with a machete. The 18-year-old's extensive criminal history includes 12 previous convictions relating to 28 offenses.

It scared her to the extent that she has left her home in London, after years of living in the capital: 'I've actually taken a bit of a break from London¿'

The Public is Left Shaken

Genevieve's harrowing account will undoubtedly resonate with those who have experienced similar incidents of phone theft. Her bravery in sharing her story highlights the need for greater awareness and action to prevent such crimes from happening again.

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Around 18 months before the attack on Genevieve, Boulares threatened to behead Aled Jones (pictured in 2016) with a machete as he stole his £17,000 Rolex in Chiswick, west London

The thief (pictured), then 16, was locked up for his attack on the Welsh singer in October 2023

She explained the attack on her happened in milliseconds: 'I had a bit of a sixth sense that something wasn't quite right, as woman you have that kind of intuition'

Genevieve (pictured last year) said she had been in contact with Aled to discuss their shared experiences with Boulares

Genevieve said: 'I could feel people moving around me in a different way but I only became aware of it once the incident had happened'

She added: 'I did feel they were going back and forth trying to find a target, so they chose me'