Watch thief who targeted a wealthy tourist for his £37,000 timepiece as he left a high-end restaurant will be deported

Algerian Thief Targeted Wealthy Tourist for £37,000 Timepiece, Faces Deportation

A 19-year-old Algerian criminal, Mohamed Sellaoui, who robbed a Chinese chemistry professor of his £37,000 Patek Phillipe watch while exiting a premium restaurant, will be deported after serving his sentence. The incident occurred in Mayfair on February 26, 2024.

Victim’s Account of the Robbery

Jiangfeng Ni, a professor at Soochow University in China, described the attack to jurors at Southwark Crown Court, with the help of a Chinese interpreter. He claimed two men approached him from behind as he left Langan’s Brasserie on Stratton Street. “They cornered me, and one tried to take my watch from my left wrist,” Ni explained.

“The person with my watch fell over… the watch was still in his hand,” the professor said, emphasizing the chaotic moment. “I attempted to follow them, but the man on my right swung a punch, shouting ‘woo woo’ noises.”

Ni added that he was “quite nervous” during the event, though he “clearly remembered who pushed him.” His testimony highlighted the urgency of the crime, as the suspects fled toward Green Park station.

Defense Challenges Testimony

Joshua Clements, Sellaoui’s legal representative, contested the professor’s account, noting potential confusion between the two suspects. He argued that Ni had “inadvertently included extra details” not present in his original police report. “He took nearly an hour during the identification parade, requesting to see images 15 times. After all that, he couldn’t be certain about the suspect’s identity,” Clements stated.

Despite this, Ni insisted, “I have very good eyesight, and I took my time to ensure accuracy.” He maintained that the roles of the attackers were “obvious” to him, even under pressure.

Verdict and Deportation Order

Sellaoui, supported by an Arabic interpreter, was found guilty of robbery after a three-day trial at Southwark Crown Court. The jury rejected his plea of not guilty. Judge Gregory Perrins announced, “You will receive a pre-sentence report, but know this: your sentence will result in deportation.”

Clements sought a suspended sentence, citing the defendant’s age of 17 at the time of the offense. The judge countered, “How can I offer a suspended sentence if he’s here illegally?” Sellaoui is now in custody awaiting sentencing on April 9.

Met Police Investigation

Detective Constable Kira Halson, leading the case, stated, “Combating violent crime is central to our priorities. We’ve deployed proactive teams to address robberies under the New Met for London plan.” She explained that CCTV footage rapidly identified Sellaoui as a suspect, with a local officer recognizing him during patrol. “Despite his young age, Sellaoui is a repeat offender, and we’ve achieved justice for the victim,” Halson concluded.