A ‘7-11’ store manager who harassed and indecently

A ‘7-11’ store manager who harassed and indecently assaulted a
pretty blonde assistant over a three month period walked free from
court today (Tue).

A jury had heard how Derek Lasem would corner the 25-year-old
victim and ask her what colour knickers she was wearing.

On other occasions he grabbed at her breasts.

The assistant, who started working for the 7-11 store in High
Street, Grays, Essex, early last year, had told Snaresbrook Crown
Court how on the last occasion when Lasem, 24, touched her up she felt
‘dirty and cheap.

‘
The jury found him guilty of three counts of indecent assault
between April and June last year.

Ilford-born Lasem, of Crammavill Street, Grays, had denied
the charges.

Judge Anthony Bradbury told him; ‘These were nasty offences.

‘
He added: ‘They took place on an employee on premesis where
you held a managerial position and the offences were made worse
by the fact she had to come to court to give evidence about her
experiences.

‘
Judge Bradbury described the third and final assault as the most
serious of the three ‘and one that gave me reason to consider a jail
term.

‘
He told Lasem: ‘You took her against her will into a store
room and subjected her to an assault of which you have now been
convicted.

‘
But the kudge saud he took into account the fact that Lasem
desisted when she made it clear that his actions were ‘unwanted and
unwarranted.

‘
The judge fined him a total of pnds stlg 700 and ordered him to
pay compensation of pnds stlg 500 towards the ’emotional distress’
suffered by her.

In April last year she had gone into the store room as
part of her job when Lasem, who was waiting there, grabbed her top and
asked her what colour knickers she had on.

Mr Anthony Abell, prosecuting, said that at that stage she
returned ‘to the safety of the shopfloor’ but decided not to make any
complaints.

‘After this initial unpleasant incident he made disparaging
remarks about the standard of the work,’ continued counsel.

The jury heard how on May 14 whilst the pair were in the store
room Lasem suddenly lunged forward grabbing both of her breasts and
squeezing them.

‘He made some remark such as – “Cor their getting big” – as she ran
away from him and made her way to the main area of the shop,’ said Mr
Abell.

Giving evidence during the trial the young woman had recalled how
on June 6 last year Lasem, who had been drinking, grabbed her wrist
and cornered her in a small upstairs store room where he began
‘pecking’ her neck.

‘He started undressing me.

He was undoing the buttons on my
blouse and was putting his hand under my blouse and T-Shirt.

‘He was blocking the doorway and I was trying to reason with him.

His hand actually touched my breast.

I tried to fight him and he
pulled me towards his chest.

‘
The court heard Lasem then relaxed his grip and she made her way
back to the shop floor.

Mr Abell asked the victim how she felt about what had happened.

She replied: ‘I felt dirty and cheap but at the same time I did
not want to lose my job.

‘
She said that the company director of 7-11 was ‘not interested’
when she wrote a letter to him concerning the incidents.

The jury were told that the victim eventually went to police who
arrested Lasem on July 25 last year.

In interviews he allegedly admitted to detectives that what he
had done was a ‘massive abuse of power’ and knew that it was ‘wrong.

‘
During the trial Lasem had maintained that what has taken place
was with her consent.

Mr James Ageros, defending, said it was conceded that the
offences were ‘exacerbated because he abused his position of trust.

‘
Counsel added:’These were indiscretions and were completetely out
of character.

‘
ENDS
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