A Derby chip shop owner described as "dangerous and unpredictable" has been sentenced to prison for sexually assaulting three teenage girls and two women, with the court hearing how his actions have caused lasting trauma to his victims.
Businessman's Decade-Long Abuse Uncovered
Stavros Theodoulou, 59, who operated the popular Steves@Etwall fish and chip shop in Derby for almost ten years, was found to have sexually abused multiple victims who were all known to him personally. The offences came to light when one victim reported the abuse in 2023, prompting several other individuals to come forward with similar experiences involving Theodoulou.
Victims' Harrowing Impact Statements
During proceedings at Derby Crown Court, a victim impact statement revealed the profound psychological damage inflicted by Theodoulou's actions. One victim described experiencing "ongoing trauma" that has "deeply impacted my ability to go about my life normally."
The statement continued: "I find myself having flashbacks of the assaults and it has deeply impacted my ability to go about my life normally. The whole situation impacted me mentally and emotionally and I feel I will be affected by this for a long time."
The victim expressed concern about potential other victims, stating: "It has made me wonder how many other women have been subjected to his abuse like I was and how long it has been going on for." She also described struggling to form friendships both professionally and personally as a direct consequence of the abuse.
Firearms Charges and Guilty Plea
When police officers arrested Theodoulou at his residence, they discovered firearms at the property, leading to additional charges. The defendant, formerly of Girton Way and now of Hilcote Lane in Alfreton, faced five counts of sexual assault alongside three charges of possessing a firearm without a certificate.
Theodoulou pleaded guilty to all charges and was subsequently sentenced to two-and-a-half years imprisonment by Judge Shaun Smith. In addition to the prison term, he received an indefinite Sexual Harm Prevention Order designed to restrict his future behaviour and protect potential victims.
Chip Shop Closure and Community Reaction
Prior to his sentencing, Theodoulou announced the closure of Steves@Etwall at the end of 2024 through the restaurant's Facebook page. In his announcement, he wrote: "After nearly 10 years of serving this wonderful community, we are sad to announce that we will be stepping away from the fish and chip shop."
The closure message received numerous supportive responses from regular customers unaware of the criminal proceedings. One community member commented: "Thank you so much for being such an amazing pillar of the community," while another wrote: "You've done such a fabulous job there serving not just Etwall but also the surrounding villages, and you'll be sorely missed."
Police Commend Victims' Bravery
Detective Constable Leonie Hitchmough, who led the investigation for Derbyshire Police, praised the victims for their courage in coming forward. She stated: "I'd like to commend these women for their bravery in coming forward and reporting these offences by Theodoulou. His actions have understandably had a major impact on them all and will continue to do so for some time to come."
The detective added: "I have no doubt that he would have continued to offend had he not been brought to justice for these offences so I am incredibly grateful to all those who came forward to report him."
The case highlights how perpetrators can operate within trusted community positions while concealing predatory behaviour, with the judicial outcome providing some measure of protection against future offences through the indefinite prevention order.
