A TEEN who tried to steal a Bridgerton star’s phone has admitted to arming himself with a machete to rob Rolex watches.
Zacariah Boulares had swiped Genevieve Chenneour’s device as she sat in Joe & The Juice in Kensington, South West , last February.
A teen who tried to steal the phone of Genevieve Chenneour has admitted to arming himself with a machete to rob Rolex watches Credit: Instagram
Zacariah Boulares, now 19, was sentenced to 22 months in prison for the incident Credit: Masters Charlie – Communication & Engagement
The incident landed Boulares, now 19, with a where the court heard he had 12 previous convictions for a total of 28 offences – all relating to theft.
His rap sheet included threatening to decapitate TV presenter Aled Jones, 55, in 2023 while watch.
Now, the Algerian national has admitted to robbing two men that same year – also for their Rolex watches – while he wielded a machete, reports MailOnline .
The first incident saw him target Mark Turner on August 9 of that year in Kensington Square Gardens, West London.
Bridgerton star Chenneour was targeted by Boulares last year Credit: Instagram/Genevievechenneour
The brave actress fought back and managed to reclaim her phone Credit: Alamy
Just ten days later, he failed to snatch the Rolex of Neil Tallantire outside a store on Porchester Road in Bayswater.
And just six weeks after that attempt, he threatened Aled Jones and his son outside their home in Chiswick.
Boulares – then aged 16 – pulled out a 20 inch machete and repeatedly threatened in a bid to steal the luxury timepiece.
Aled handed over the £17,000 watch before bravely following the thug but when he spotted them, he snarled: “Walk the other way or I will cut your head off.”
Today, Boulares pleaded guilty to robbing Mr Turner after having previously admitted the failed attempt on Mr Tallantire – he also pleaded guilty to possession of a machete during both incidents.
Today, Judge Alexander Milne KC adjourned the cases at Southwark Crown Court with the teen set to appear at court again next Tuesday to hear his sentencing date.
Boulares was jailed at Isleworth Crown Court in July 2025 after attempting to steal Genevieve Chenneour’s phone and robbing a blind woman.
The judge said at the time how he would scour wealthy areas for “rich pickings and displayed a “systematic pattern of stealing from people as they are enjoying a meal or refreshment at a restaurant”.
Judge Martin Edmunds KC told him: “You seem to be plagued by an attitude that if people can afford nice things, then you can take them.
“It’s clear you are completely willing to use violence when challenged, and it’s a matter of the deepest regret that individuals have been left feeling they don’t want to come to London or they should leave London.”
shows the moment Boulares swiped Genevieve Chenneour’s phone last year.
The brave actress, who played Clara Livingston in the third season of period drama, Bridgerton, grabbed Boulares’ shoulder after she realised her phone had been taken.
She tackled the serial thief to the ground with the help of then boyfriend, scriptwriter Carlo Kureishi, who was assaulted and warned he would be stabbed by the teen.
Genevieve managed to take her phone back from Boulares before repeatedly hitting him with it during the ordeal in the posh cafe.
Speaking on the theft, the Yorkshire-born Netflix star said: “They didn’t expect me to stand up for myself, but I did.”
She claimed that she was left with concussion after the horror on February 8 and said even her dog was “traumatised”.
As well as , Genevieve appeared in historical film 1242: Gateway To The West.
She is also a former professional athlete who represented at the Baku 2015 European Games in Artistic swimming events.
Eze Chidiebere Paul
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