Jersey co-restaurant owner found guilty of sexual assault

The jury heard Roberts was physically and emotionally abusive to two women - and exploited them financially

A jury in Jersey has found the former co-owner of a sushi restaurant guilty on six counts of violence, rape and sexual assault.

The prosecution said Gavin Roberts, 44, gave the impression of a charming, successful, and wealthy man.

But behind closed doors, the Royal Court jury heard Roberts was physically and emotionally abusive to two women - and exploited them financially.

After an eight day trial, the jury took about three hours to convict him.

Roberts, who used to run Shinzo in St Aubin before it closed, had denied six offences on two victims between September 2021 and October 2022.

At the start of the trial, Roberts admitted strangling one victim to the point that she was sick, and on another occasion he suffocated her with a pillow and spat on her.

He also agreed a second count of grave and criminal assault.

'A habit'

Crown Advocate Matthew Maletroit, prosecuting, said Roberts could come across as kind and caring, but after drinking he would become nasty and "possessed".

He said: "Grabbing women round the neck is something of a habit for the defendant.

"You will hear that he has done this to previous women - it features in his criminal history."

In describing one attack, Advocate Maletroit said: "The defendant seriously assaulted her, this involved him grabbing her round the neck and strangling her, hitting her and forcing her to punch herself in the face."

The jury, which consisted of five men and seven women, heard Roberts was a convicted fraudster and had committed previous violent offences to women.

Advocate David Steenson, defending, said one of the victim's accounts did not "stack up" and there were numerous inconsistencies in her story.

Detective Constable Carla Garnier said the bravery of the victims was "commendable"

Detective Constable, Carla Garnier, said the police acknowledged the victims' "courage and strength during this difficult time".

She said: "The bravery displayed by the victims, who were known to Gavin Roberts, has been commendable throughout the investigation and court proceedings."

He will be sentenced later in the year.