‘Predatory’ hairdresser who sexually assaulted two 17-year-old girls working as trainees in his London salons avoids jail – as police urge other women who worked for stylist to come forward

• Alan Luckhurst, 36, groped the 17-year-old girls at two different salons in London
• Met Police said there may be more employees of Luckhurst who were a victim

A ‘predatory’ hairdresser who sexually assaulted two teenage students working in his salon has avoided jail.

Award-winning hairstylist Alan Luckhurst groped the 17-year-old girls at two different salons – one in Twickenham and another he later set up in Sutton, south-west London.

He had already been charged and bailed over the first assault when the second took place in 2021, the Metropolitan Police said. Today, the force said there could be more employees of Luckhurst who may have been a victim. They are now appealing for them to come forward.

The married father-of-two claimed to Kingston Crown Court that he was ‘just a tactile person’.

Alan Luckhurst groped the 17-year-old girls at two different salons – one in Twickenham and another he later set up in Sutton, south west London 

Luckhurst had already been charged and bailed over the first assault when the second took place in 2021 

But last Monday, he was sentenced to six months in prison, suspended for 18 months.

The first offence happened in 2017, when a 17-year-old girl told police Luckhurst sexually assaulted her while she was on placement at a hairdressers in Twickenham.

Luckhurst was arrested and removed from the salon and while on bail after being charged in October 2019, he set up his own business near Sutton. Two years later, another 17-year-old girl came forward to police and said she had also been sexually assaulted by him during her time as an apprentice.

The trainee teenager said she was groped just a few weeks after she started at the company.

Luckhurst repeatedly touched the breasts of the first victim; placed his hand between her legs; and pressed his groin against her bottom. He also groped the breasts of the second victim and once made her touch him intimately between the legs.

All the offences involved groping over the girls’ clothing apart from one incident when he forced his hand under the second victim’s bra.

After a trial in January, Luckhurst was found guilty of eight counts of sexual assault and two counts of causing a person to engage in sexual activity without consent

After a trial in January, Luckhurst, of Worcester Park, south-west London, was found guilty of eight counts of sexual assault and two counts of causing a person to engage in sexual activity without consent.

He was also given a sexual harm prevention order banning him employing anyone under 18 or acting as their boss.

In 2013, Luckhurst won ‘Retailer of the Year’ while managing a salon in Richmond, south west London.

Detective Constable Natalie Alchin, who led the investigation, said: ‘Luckhurst completely abused his position as manager of these young women and took advantage of being alone with them during their time at work.

‘It is clear that the offences he committed have had a serious and significant impact on both their personal and professional lives.

‘They have shown tremendous bravery, both in coming forward to police and then giving evidence at court.’

DC Alchin said cops believe there may be other young women who may have worked with Luckhurst and may be victims of his ‘predatory behaviour’.

She added: ‘We believe there may be other young women who may have worked with Luckhurst and been victim to his predatory behaviour.

‘We would urge anyone who believes that to be the case to come forward and speak to us. We have specialist support in place and will listen to everything you have to say.’

Anyone with information can call Scotland Yard 101 with reference 1369/4APR23.

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