Restaurant boss jailed for sex assaults

Sami Gendy, 30, touched them inappropriately and re-adjusted their clothing under the guise of fitting a Tequila shot belt on them.

They were told they would need to wear the belt on party nights to dispense ‘shots’ to customers.

He also falsely claimed to be a masseur and demonstrated his ‘technique’ on them, Luton Crown Court was told.

Gendy, of Lark Way, Bedford originally denied three charges of sexual assault but was convicted after a trial before a District Judge at Luton Magistrates Court.

He appealed to Luton Crown Court and the case was re-heard, meaning the two victims had to give evidence for a second time. His appeal was dismissed. And on Thursday he appeared at the same court for sentence.

Derek Johashen, defending, said: “There has been an about turn following the dismissal of the appeal and he has sought the help of a sexual psychotherapist.

“It is a case where he had found it very hard to accept responsibility for what he had done and simply acted in a very cowardly way.


You told them you were a masseur when you were not.

“Belatedly you have come to realise how you have damaged and traumatised two young women.” He said he had read excellent references and moving letters about the other side of Gendy’s character.

A third woman also came forward and gave similar evidence of a job interview she had, but in her case when she asked him to stop, he did and she was not sexually assaulted.

The offences took place in 2007 and 2008 when he was the manager of a restaurant and salsa club, first called Sal Sero, and later changed to Yammas, in St Mary’s Street, Bedford.

Daniel Higgins, prosecuting, said one victim applied for a job in 2007 and was assaulted at the interview. A year later she believed the restaurant was under new ownership and applied again and was shocked to see Gendy once more.

She pretended her boyfriend was a police officer but it did not deter Gendy ‘going through the same patter’, said Mr. Higgins.

Police became involved after the second victim told her boyfriend and father what had happened to her. They contacted the restaurant and said police would be contacted.

Gendy denied he had done anything without the consent of the two women.

On Thursday Gendy was also told he must register as a sex offender and will not be allowed to conduct any employment interviews with women unless a third party is present.