A TEENAGE girl has told how she was sexually assaulted by the boss of a fish’n’chip shop.

Victim Danielle Ward, 17, has lifted her right to anonymity, to tell the Gazette about her ordeal in the hope no other youngsters have to go through what she did.

Danielle, who studies travel and tourism at South Essex College, Grays, was working at King Neptune Fish Bar, Defoe Parade, Chadwell St Mary, when she was attacked after hours by the boss Gurdeep Dhillon.

Danielle, of Godman Road, Chadwell St Mary, recalled: “He asked me to stay behind after work so I did thinking he was going to tell me how well I had done. He offered me an alcoholic drink – vodka and coke – it wasn’t a lot so I drank it.

“Then he asked me for a hug and I gave him one, but I felt a bit weird, so I pulled away.

“As I pulled away he put both his hands in the back pockets of my jeans behind me. I pulled away and then he put his hand on my right shoulder and pulled down my top exposing my cleavage.

“I panicked and just then my friend rang and I said I would be right out.

“I then went straight to my sister’s shop where crying I told her what had happened.

“Then we reported this to the police. I felt disgusted. I’m speaking out now as I don’t want any other girl to go through this.”

Takeaway owner Gurdeep Dhillon, 52, was given a three-month prison sentence, suspended for 12 months after being found guilty of sexual assault at Basildon Crown Court. He was ordered to pay the victim £500 compensation as well court costs of £1,800, and he was placed on the sexual offenders’ register for seven years.

Danielle worked at the shop in 2013 then left, before re-joining last May. The attack happened the first day she went back to work at the fish and chip shop.

Recalling that night Danielle’s mother, Karen Ward, 45, said: “She came home in such a state.

“You think you can protect your children from danger and you think your child will be safe in a place of work.”

Referring to Dhillon’s sentencing, Danielle added: “I’m very happy and relieved. I can actually sleep at night now.”

Mum Karen added: “It’s great news he hasn’t got away with this. I’m proud of Danielle coming forward.”

Dhillon protested his innocence when he was approached by the Gazette.

He said: “I am a practising Sikh and I only gave the girl a hug. And I only gave her a job because she told me she was broke, then after one day, this happened.

“It was my word against hers. Now I am worried for my family’s safety.”