Overview

• Genevieve Chenneour says the February 8 robbery at a Joe & The Juice café in Kensington turned into a 'life or death' struggle that left her concussed, shaken.
• The 27-year-old ended her relationship, relocated from west London; now avoids large gatherings, festivals.
• Repeat offender Zachariah Boulares, who threatened singer Aled Jones with a machete in 2023, pleaded guilty on May 29, faces sentencing this week.
• Since going public, Chenneour connected with other victims, called for tougher sentences, urged provision of psychological care for repeat offenders.
• The incident highlights a broader surge in violent phone thefts across London, which saw over 70,000 incidents recorded in 2024.