Christchurch chef sentenced for indecently assaulting teenage staff

Tuesday 25 November 2025 · 5 outlets · 6 reports · updated Tue 25 Nov 2025, 3:43pm

Sumeer Thapa has been sentenced to four months' home detention after a jury found him guilty of seven counts of indecently assaulting four women aged 15 to 18. The assaults occurred at Lazeez Mediterranean Grill in Christchurch between 2021 and 2024. Reports indicate Thapa has been fired from his position.

How they headlined it

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1. NZ HeraldTue 25 Nov 2025, 12:27pm

   Chef keeps job at Christchurch restaurant despite indecently assaulting teen staffers (opens in new tab)

2. The PressTue 25 Nov 2025, 1:03pm

   ‘Still a risk’: Christchurch chef convicted of assaulting teen colleagues maintains he did nothing wrong (opens in new tab)

3. RNZTue 25 Nov 2025, 1:49pm

   Christchurch chef keeps job despite sexually harassing young female employees (opens in new tab)

4. 1News via RNZTue 25 Nov 2025, 2:22pm

   Christchurch chef keeps job despite harassing young female workers (opens in new tab)

5. Otago Daily TimesTue 25 Nov 2025, 3:43pm

   Christchurch chef keeps job after sexually harassing workers (opens in new tab)

   • Chef who sexually harassed young female workers fired (opens in new tab) Tue 25 Nov 2025, 3:43pm