Actress Genevieve Chenneour fights off knife-wielding thief in terrifying robbery

In February 2023, Genevieve Chenneour, a 27-year-old British actress known for her role in 'Bridgerton', encountered a traumatic experience in a London café. While waiting for her drink, a thief named Zacariah Boulares, aged 18, snatched her phone from the table behind her. Reacting instinctively, Chenneour confronted Boulares, and once her then-boyfriend Carlo Kureishi attempted to help by tackling the assailant, Boulares threatened Chenneour with a stab. This terrifying moment left her feeling her life was in danger. Following the incident, Chenneour faced lasting physical and emotional repercussions, including dizziness and a heightened fear of going out alone, contributing to a sense of agoraphobia just days after the encounter. Boulares later pleaded guilty in Westminster magistrates court, with Chenneour demanding that he be sent to prison and receive psychological care. The ongoing concern around the safety of women, particularly in public spaces, was amplified by Chenneour's experience. Chenneour described reaching a severe low point following the robbery, an ordeal that not only changed her day-to-day life but also her outlook on safety as a woman, recognizing the foresight many women have regarding potential dangers from strangers. Overall, this incident raises important questions about criminal justice and societal responsibility in addressing theft and safety for individuals in vulnerable situations, especially women who frequently navigate similar threats in their everyday lives.