Watch thief who targeted a wealthy tourist for his £37,000 timepiece as he left a high-end restaurant will be deported
Algerian Robber Sentenced to Deportation After Stolen £37,000 Watch
A 19-year-old Algerian criminal, Mohamed Sellaoui, has been sentenced to deportation following his conviction for stealing a £37,000 luxury watch from a wealthy tourist as he exited a high-end Mayfair establishment. The decision comes after his release from custody, with the judge emphasizing that his fate will be sealed through the legal process.
Targeted in Stratton Street Assault
The incident took place on February 26, 2024, at Langan’s Brasserie on Stratton Street, where Sellaoui ambushed chemistry professor Jiangfeng Ni, who works at Soochow University in China. Ni described the attack to jurors, recounting how two men approached him from behind while he left the restaurant.
“The person with my watch fell over… the watch was still in his hand,” the professor stated during his testimony at Southwark Crown Court, assisted by a Chinese interpreter.
According to Ni, the assailants initially attempted to pilfer his timepiece from his left wrist, prompting him to chase after them. However, the situation escalated when one of the thieves struck him with a punch.
“My mind went blank. In my head I had to ask myself: ‘What happened?'” Ni recalled, highlighting the chaos of the moment.
Defense Challenges Testimony Accuracy
Joshua Clements, Sellaoui’s legal representative, contested the professor’s account, suggesting he might have confused the identities of the suspects. The defense argued that Ni had added extra details not originally in his police report, and that he lingered unusually long during the identification parade.
“You got the two suspects mixed up, Mr. Ni, you cannot be sure who is who,” Clements asserted, pointing out the potential for error in the witness’s description.
The defense also noted that Ni requested to review multiple images 15 times, implying uncertainty about the suspect’s identity. Despite this, the professor maintained his confidence in his observations.
“I was quite nervous at the time, but who pushed me, it was quite obvious. I remember it clearly,” Ni insisted, emphasizing his ability to discern the attacker’s actions.
Legal Proceedings and Deportation Threat
Sellaoui, who was aided by an Arabic interpreter, initially denied the charges but was found guilty by a jury after a three-day trial. Judge Gregory Perrins acknowledged the teenager’s age but made it clear that deportation would follow his sentencing.
“Being in mind of your age at the time, I am going to order a pre-sentence report. But in fairness, you should have absolutely no illusion that you will be sentenced, and then you will be deported,” the judge stated.
Clements advocated for a suspended sentence, citing Sellaoui’s youth at the time of the offense. However, the judge ruled against this, noting the defendant’s illegal status in the UK. Sellaoui will face his final verdict on April 9.
Met Police Investigation and Public Safety Focus
Detective Constable Kira Halson, leading the Metropolitan Police’s case, highlighted the significance of addressing violent crime. She explained that CCTV footage swiftly identified Sellaoui as a suspect, with a local officer recognizing him during a patrol and initiating the arrest.
“Tackling violent crime like this is a key priority for the Met. We’ve set up local, proactive teams to deal with robberies as part of our New Met for London plan,” Halson said, underscoring the importance of securing justice for the victim.
