Watch thief who targeted a wealthy tourist for his £37,000 timepiece as he left a high-end restaurant will be deported
Watch thief who targeted a wealthy tourist for his £37,000 timepiece as he left a high-end restaurant will be deported
A 19-year-old Algerian criminal stole a high-value timepiece from a Chinese professor’s wrist during an attack at a luxury eatery in Mayfair. The incident, which occurred on February 26, 2024, led to his conviction and a looming deportation order following his release from prison.
Details of the robbery
Jiangfeng Ni, a chemistry professor at Soochow University in China, described the assault to jurors at Southwark Crown Court with the help of a Chinese interpreter. He claimed two men approached him from behind as he exited Langan’s Brasserie on Stratton Street, forcing him into a confined space. One thief attempted to snatch his Patek Phillipe watch from his left wrist, while the other fled toward Green Park station.
‘The person with my watch fell over… the watch was still in his hand,’ Ni explained. ‘I went to approach them but when I was bending down the person on my right swung a punch at me. He was waving his fist and making “woo woo” noises.’
Ni added that he felt ‘nearly an hour’ during the identity parade, as he scrutinized images multiple times to confirm the suspects. He emphasized his confidence in his vision, stating, ‘I was quite nervous at the time, but who pushed me, it was quite obvious. I remember it clearly.’
Legal proceedings and sentencing
Prosecutor Sue Obeney questioned Ni about his emotional state during the incident. ‘My mind went blank. In my head I had to ask myself: “What happened?”‘ he responded. The defense, led by Joshua Clements, argued that Ni had mixed up the suspects in his testimony, suggesting uncertainty about their identities.
Sellaoui, who used an Arabic interpreter, pleaded not guilty to the robbery charge. However, a jury found him guilty after a three-day trial. Judge Gregory Perrins noted Sellaoui’s young age but warned that deportation would follow his sentence, stating, ‘How can I give a suspended sentence if he is here illegally?’ He ordered the teenager’s remand in custody for sentencing on April 9.
Police investigation and commentary
Detective Constable Kira Halson, who oversaw the Met Police’s case, highlighted the importance of addressing violent crimes. ‘Tackling violent crime like this is a key priority for the Met,’ she said. ‘We’ve set up local, proactive teams to deal with robberies as part of our New Met for London plan.’
Halson noted that CCTV footage quickly identified Sellaoui as a suspect, with a patrol officer recognizing him during the arrest. She praised the outcome, stating, ‘Despite his young age, Sellaoui is a prolific offender and I’m pleased that we’ve been able to secure justice for the victim in this case.’
