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 burglar, convicted of stealing a £37,000 luxury watch from a foreign tourist’s arm during a visit to a premium restaurant, faces deportation after his incarceration concludes.
Theft at Stratton Street
On February 26, 2024, Mohamed Sellaoui, 19, targeted Jiangfeng Ni, a chemistry professor at Soochow University in China, in Mayfair. The incident occurred as the professor exited Langan’s Brasserie on Stratton Street, where he was approached by two men from behind.
“My mind went blank. In my head I had to ask myself: ‘What happened?’” Ni testified during his appearance at Southwark Crown Court, with the help of a Chinese interpreter.
According to Ni, the thieves pushed him into a corner and attempted to remove his watch from his left wrist. After the pair fled toward Green Park station, Ni recounted that the person holding his timepiece fell over, still clutching the watch.
Testimony and Defense Arguments
Mr. Clements, Sellaoui’s legal representative, questioned the professor’s account, stating, “You confused the two suspects, Mr. Ni, and can’t be certain which one is which.” He highlighted that Ni had “mistakenly added extra details” not present in his initial police report, and claimed the identification process took “nearly an hour,” during which Ni “reviewed 15 images” before making his choice.
“I was quite nervous at the time, but who pushed me, it was quite obvious. I remember it clearly,” Ni insisted, emphasizing his “very good eyesight” as a reason for his detailed recollection.
The prosecutor, Sue Obeney, pressed Ni on his emotional state during the assault, while the defense argued that the identification parade had left him uncertain. Despite this, the jury found Sellaoui guilty of robbery following a three-day trial.
Judge’s Sentence and Deportation
During sentencing, Judge Gregory Perrins noted Sellaoui’s age, stating, “Being in mind of your age at the time, I am going to order a pre-sentence report.” However, the judge made it clear that deportation would follow any conviction, regardless of the sentence.
“How can I give a suspended sentence if he is here illegally?” the judge questioned, ultimately remanding Sellaoui in custody for sentencing on April 9.
Det. Const. Kira Halson, who led the Met Police investigation, praised the outcome, saying, “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. CCTV enquiries quickly identified Sellaoui as a suspect, with a local officer recognizing him during a patrol and making the arrest.” She added, “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.”