Designer’s diamond-studded watch cut from wrist, court told

A fashion designer was robbed of a watch valued at more than £137,000 (€160,000) when it was cut from his wrist outside a restaurant in London’s Mayfair, a court has heard.

Ali Eldahouzze, 22, and Abdel El Habchi, 30, are accused of stealing the diamond-encrusted Richard Mille watch from Romanian entrepreneur Catalin Botezatu.

The pair each deny one count of robbery, while a third man – Younes Djoudi – has admitted the charge.

The prosecution told Southwark Crown Court the victim had lacerations on his wrists after the watch was taken, indicating the rubber strap has been cut with a knife.

Jurors heard Botezatu was accosted after he left Latin American restaurant Amazonico in Berkeley Square, central London, just before midnight on 28 January.

Barrister Arizuna Asante said Djoudi walked past the complainant as he smoked outside the restaurant shortly after 22:15 GMT, before later appearing with Eldahouzze and El Habchi. Asante said they “looked at the alleged victim before walking off”.

He said this demonstrated the men “were scoping out not only the restaurant but also the victim, and must have noticed the watch or recognised it.”

The trial continues.