A trial has begun involving the owner of a local furniture store who faces multiple sexual assault charges related to incidents that allegedly occurred between 2019 and 2021.
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Salem Hennawi, 63, owner of Salem Furniture on Porter Street in Bridgeport, Connecticut, is accused by prosecutors of assaulting female customers after taking them to the basement of the store. The trial opened this week before Judge Kevin C. Doyle and is expected to last up to six days.
During the first day of testimony, one of the alleged victims described a 2019 incident in which she said Hennawi lured her to the store's basement while discussing a mattress he claimed might be suitable for her parents. According to her testimony, he encouraged her to lie on the bed to test its comfort before allegedly touching her inappropriately.
The woman said she left the store with her young daughter and later contacted police. Officers who met her at the hospital after the incident reported that she appeared distressed.
Hennawi faces two counts each of third- and fourth-degree sexual assault, as well as charges of second-degree unlawful restraint and risk of injury to a minor. Prosecutors allege that three women were assaulted in separate incidents over several years.
The defendant, who has pleaded not guilty, attended the proceedings with family members and listened to testimony through an Arabic interpreter. Hennawi is currently free after posting $190,000 in bond.
In addition to the criminal case, two of the alleged victims have filed civil lawsuits, which are still pending.
The court will continue hearing testimony in the coming days.
Source: www.ctpost.com
