MINH CHI LAM SENTENCED FOR SEXUAL ASSAULTS IN HACKNEY NAIL SALON

In a case that has sent shockwaves through the Hackney community, Minh Chi Lam, a 58-year-old nail technician, was sentenced to four years and six months in prison after being found guilty of sexually assaulting two young women in his salon. The incidents, which occurred over a span of time, have highlighted the dangers of trusting service providers and the importance of safeguarding vulnerable individuals.

One of the victims, an 18-year-old student whose identity remains protected for legal reasons, appeared in court to give her account of the harrowing experience. She recounted how Lam lured her into his basement salon after hours, under the pretense of a private appointment. The young woman described how Lam, who had previously been her nail technician for two years, tricked her into coming at 7:30 pm on March 11, 2016, by passing her his phone number for appointment bookings. She explained that she had visited his salon regularly for special occasions, trusting him as a familiar service provider.

However, her trust was shattered when she arrived at the new location, which was situated at 221 Mare Street, Hackney, after the original salon had closed down. She learned that the move was due to Lam’s arrest over a sex offence at his previous premises. The victim described how she initially saw Lam outside smoking, and he told her to come back later. She went to the local library to do some schoolwork and returned later, only to find the salon deserted except for Lam.

She questioned him about the absence of other staff members, to which he claimed they had gone home or to a party. The young woman initially engaged in a normal conversation with Lam, who asked about her schoolwork. But the atmosphere quickly changed when Lam asked her to move closer, claiming he needed to work on her nails. As the conversation shifted to more personal topics, Lam began to talk about his past sexual encounters with other girls, suggesting they performed sexual acts to avoid paying for their nail services. He also made inappropriate comments about her clothing, saying, “I’d just like to see your body.”

Feeling increasingly uncomfortable, the victim moved further away from Lam. His behavior then turned aggressive, and he made a disturbing comment about preferring young girls around her age. When she asked him to stop, she attempted to leave, but Lam assaulted her again when she went to wash her hands at a sink. She described feeling terrified and trapped, unable to escape the basement despite her desire to leave. Lam continued to do her nails in an awkward manner, during which he exposed himself and made further sexual propositions.

Finally, around 9 pm, the victim managed to escape the salon by promising Lam she would return the next day. She called her boyfriend in tears, who advised her to contact the police. The young woman expressed her shock at the betrayal, noting that she had trusted Lam as her regular nail technician and never suspected he would commit such acts. She revealed that the assault had a profound impact on her mental health, causing her to withdraw from college, suffer from flashbacks, and experience sleep disturbances. Her confidence was severely affected, and she isolated herself from friends and family, feeling haunted by the incident.

Since the attack, she has only had her nails done once more, describing the experience as uncomfortable and unappealing. She expressed relief that Lam had admitted to his crimes in court, which validated her experience and alleviated fears that she would not be believed. Her testimony was crucial in the case, which culminated in Lam pleading guilty to one count of sexual assault by penetration and two counts of sexual assault. The court sentenced him to serve a total of four years and six months, covering all charges.

Lam’s criminal history includes an earlier incident on July 6, 2015, when he sexually assaulted a 16-year-old woman at Supreme Boutique on Amhurst Road. His arrest and subsequent court proceedings have brought to light a pattern of predatory behavior. The case has raised concerns about the safety of young women in Hackney and the importance of vigilance when dealing with service providers. The community now awaits further measures to prevent such incidents from recurring, emphasizing the need for increased awareness and protective measures for vulnerable individuals.