Subway Restaurants dumps Barrie franchisee after manager charged with sexual assault
Police said additional alleged victims came forward after accusations from a 17-year-old employee
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A Barrie family’s weeks-long push for action after their daughter was allegedly sexual assaulted on the job at a local Subway has forced the chain to cancel a franchise agreement with the restaurant’s owner.
“We are very thankful to Subway for their response to this tragic situation,” the alleged victim’s mother said. “Our faith in Subway as a franchise has been restored.”
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The mother alleges the 17-year-old girl was stripped and sexually assaulted the morning of June 13 in a back room as she was being trained by the manager on how to open the restaurant.
The teen called her mother after the alleged incident and her mom called Barrie Police, who made an arrest that day.
The woman said her daughter “has nightmares. She can’t sleep at night. She cries all night until daylight. And then when daylight comes she can finally fall asleep.”
Both struggle with what allegedly happened.
“Rationally I know this is not my fault, the guilt that I feel is eating me up inside,” she said.
Subway telephoned the mother to announce the impending change in Barrie.
“In light of what it understands has occurred, Subway Restaurants Canada has terminated the Franchise Agreement for this independently owned franchise. There will be a change of ownership at this Subway Restaurant,” the company wrote in a statement.
“We are committed to ensuring that our franchisees provide a safe environment for all their employees and guests, and any breach of these standards is taken very seriously,” Subway added.
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The teen’s aunt, who has rallied supporters outside the two restaurants owned by the suspect’s family, said “a small slice of justice has been served.” A fifth rally was set for Friday evening.
“The fact that she is a minor is just outraging people even further,” the aunt told the Sun.
Barrie Police said additional alleged victims came forward on June 14 and “further criminal charges” were laid.
Stephen Lemmond, 47, faces four charges including sexual assault and sexual interference.
He was released on bail June 15 and his next court date is July 19.
“There may be additional (alleged) victims who may have worked at two franchises of a fast-food restaurant that have been operated by the accused over the past 13 years,” police said.
None of the allegations have been proven in court.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Det.-Const. Melanie Beard at 705-725-7025 ext. 2582.
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