Minh Chi Lam was jailed for sexual assault Pic: Metropolitan Police

A man has been jailed for sexually assaulting two teenagers whilst working at his job as a nail technician.

A 16-year-old girl and an 18-year-old woman fell victim to assaults by the 58-year-old whilst having their nails done.

Minh Chi Lam of Myrtle Street, Hackney, will face for four years and six months in jail.

Wood Green Crown Court was told on Monday June 23 how Lam assaulted the 18-year-old in the Hackney basement salon.

Lam was doing the victim’s nails when he grabbed her by the waist and pulled her into the back room where he exposed himself. Before the attack he had asked about her sex life and then abruptly ripped her jacket open.

She tried to escape the basement but the steps were to steep and she was forced to sit down as Lam continued to do her nails.

When he was finished he attacked her again, this time coming from behind as she was washing her hands. After the attack she was allowed to leave – but asked her to come back and see him.

The woman had visited the nail bar on Mare Street seeking an appointment at lunchtime, but Lam told her to come back later that evening. When she returned at 7.40pm, he was alone in the salon.

Temporary Detective Constable Karen Feasey, of the Metropolitan Police’s Sexual Offences, Exploitation and Child Abuse Command, said: “Minh Chi Lam duped the victim into believing she was going to get her nails done. However, his sole intention was to lure the victim to the nail bar in order to sexually assault her, completely abusing her trust.”

He pleaded guilty to the charges of sexual assault and sexual assault by penetration. He was charged on July 6 last year for a sexual attack on a 16-year-old girl at the Supreme Boutique, a beauty salon on Amhurst Road in Dalston. The jail sentence was in relation to both attacks.

Detective Inspector Neil Rawlinson, of the Met Police’s Sexual Offences, Exploitation and Child Abuse Command, said: “Lam told the victim in this case that he’d had sexual encounters with a number of customers and it is entirely possible that he has committed other offences.

I would urge anyone who has suffered at his hands to come forward in the knowledge that we have dedicated teams of specialists to support them.”

Any other victims are encouraged to speak to the police by calling 101.