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| Jailed: Luckhurst |
Married father-of-two Alan Luckhurst, 37, groped the breasts and bums of the young women after taking them into a rear private area of his salons.
Luckhurst claimed he had “already been punished a great deal” after spending two years on police bail before being charged and enduring multiple trial postponements during lockdown and barristers strikes.
He was awarded the ‘Retailer of the Year’ prize while managing a Headmasters salon, where he sexually assaulted the first victim.
Kingston-upon-Thames Crown Court heard he was arrested and on bail for those offences when he molested the second victim at another salon Luckhurst opened himself.
On March 27, after fighting the case for years and forcing his young victims to give evidence before a jury, Luckhurst was sentenced to six months imprisonment, suspended for eighteen months.
However, that sentence by Recorder William Featherby KC, who noted Luckhurst was at “low risk” of re-offending, was overturned by the Court of Appeal, which imposed two years and six months immediate imprisonment.
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| Award Winner: Luckhurst & Mark Wright |
The case had been reviewed under the Unduly Lenient Sentencing scheme and Solicitor General Michael Tomlinson KC MP announced: “Luckhurst’s vile crimes are only exacerbated by the trust placed in him to look after young students on work experience.
“The severity of his appalling behaviour has now been recognised by the courts and he will spend time in prison for crimes that have left a devastating impact on his victims.”
The Metropolitan Police even urged other potential victims to come forward after the hairdresser was originally sentenced.
Detective Constable Natalie Alchin said at the time: “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.
“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.”
The stylist, of Priors Barn House, Beaumont Drive, Worcester Park, Sutton, proudly published on social media a photo of himself and TOWIE star Mark Wright, who was guest of honour at one of those industry award ceremonies.
When he was originally sentenced last March Recorder Featherby told heavily-tattooed Luckhurst: “Both were seventeen years-old and you were the manager and later the owner of two salons and you accepted apprentices from colleges to work in your salons and you sexually assaulted both of them.
“You went considerably further than ‘making passes’ when you took them into a private room at the rear of each premises under the pretence of discussing their progress.”
Luckhurst fought the charges, but was convicted of six counts of sexually assaulting the first victim, plus one charge of sexual activity on various dates in 2017 at Headmasters Hair Salon, Twickenham.
Regarding the second victim he was found guilty of two counts of sexual assault and one count of sexual activity on various dates in 2021 at The Avenue salon, Sutton.
The original sentence also included an 18-month Community Order; to attend 35 days of a sex offenders programme; comply with up to thirty days of a rehabilitation activity requirement and obey a Sexual Harm Prevention Order, prohibiting him employing staff under 18 years-old.
Luckhurst repeatedly touched the breasts of the first victim; placed his hand between her legs and pressed his groin against her bum.
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.
“You plainly felt an attraction two these young women and felt you had some sort of licence to touch them,” Recorder Featherby told Luckhurst. “You made them both feel vulnerable and frightened.
“They continue to feel violated and vulnerable and these experiences put their careers in other directions.”
Luckhurst’s lawyer Kimberley Aiken told the court in March: “These convictions have been a massive blow to this man, who has built his career up. He has felt suicidal and his business has been limping on.
“The last six years have been an apocalypse for both him and his wife and they twice had to cancel their wedding when trials were listed and then cancelled.”
Luckhurst spent two years on police bail before the Crown Prosecution Service decided to charge him and his trial was further delayed by Covid and barristers strikes.
“He has already suffered a great deal,” added Ms Aiken. “It is not normal to have to wait his long.
“He understands he is here today to be punished and feels he has already been punished a great deal.
“Apart from these dreadful convictions he has had a positive stable life and adores his two children.
“He has had a pretty rotten wake-up call. He has had the shock of his life and now accepts he was in the wrong, late as it is.
“I ask the court to pass a sentence that allows Mr. Luckhurst to continue building his life, a charitable life rather than living a life in shame on the sex offenders register.
“It was another awful day in his life when the police visited his home.”
Recorder Featherby told Luckhurst: “Other than these offences you are a responsible person who has been involved in charitable works and fundraising.
“The financial impact on you and your family is considerable, running into the tens of thousands of pounds.
“These are multiple and repeated offences, but the Probation Service say you are at ‘low risk’ of re-offending.”
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