MOHAMMED JAVED GUILTY OF SEXUAL ASSAULT AT KEMPSTON AND LUTON CHIP SHOP

In a case that has shocked the local communities of Kempston and Luton, Mohammed Javed, a 39-year-old man, has been found guilty of sexually assaulting two teenage girls who were employed at his fish and chip shop. The incident took place at Luci and Lina’s Fish Bar, located on High Street in Kempston, where Javed was a joint owner and manager.

Javed, a father of two from Luton, admitted to the court that he had engaged in inappropriate behavior towards the two 16-year-old girls working at his establishment. The court heard that his misconduct included physically groping the teenagers, with one of the girls recounting that Javed had come up from behind her and placed his hand on her breasts. The other girl was also subjected to similar inappropriate contact. The distress caused by these actions led to police involvement after one of the victims confided in her mother, prompting an investigation.

Prosecutor Beverly Cripps detailed how Javed’s conduct appeared to escalate after he took over the business in the summer of 2008, with her stating that he began to 'push the boundaries' in his interactions with staff. The court was told that Javed initially denied eight charges of sexual assault, which included allegations against a woman in her 30s. However, he later changed his plea to guilty specifically concerning the assaults on the two teenage girls.

During the proceedings, the jury, following the judge’s instructions, found Javed not guilty of two charges of sexual assault against the woman in her 30s. The remaining four charges related to the two girls were retained on the court’s file, but he was convicted solely of the offenses involving the teenagers.

In sentencing, Judge John Bevan QC emphasized the seriousness of Javed’s actions, stating, “This sort of behaviour in the workplace is wholly unacceptable.” He ordered Javed to pay a total of £2,415 in costs and compensation, including £200 to each of the victims. Additionally, Javed was sentenced to a six-month suspended prison term, placed under a three-month curfew, and required to register as a sex offender for five years.

Javed’s defense lawyer, Jacqueline Lule, expressed her client’s embarrassment over the case, but the judge’s remarks underscored the gravity of his misconduct. Judge Bevan concluded by advising Javed to reflect carefully on his future conduct, warning him to avoid any further legal trouble and to return to his business with a renewed sense of responsibility.