Watch thieves take £1m a month in West End, court hears

The court previously heard the men carried out a “reconnaissance operation”, walking past Botezatu outside the restaurant from about 22:15 GMT, before surrounding him as he smoked with a friend near his car.

Prosecutor Arizuna Asante said a sharp implement was used to cut through the rubber strap of the watch, leaving cuts on Botezatu’s wrists.

Giving evidence from behind a screen during the trial, Botezatu said he had been pushed into a fence and restrained, and had feared for his life because of a previous cancer operation and having five stents fitted.

“I couldn’t believe that something like this could happen in London, in front of a luxury restaurant where I was a client,” he told jurors.

The watch, a birthday present about 13 years ago from a friend who has since died, has never been recovered.

Djoudi admitted robbery, Eldahouzze and El Habchi denied involvement but were convicted after a nine-day trial.

El Habchi told jurors he had not realised a robbery was about to happen, while Eldahouzze claimed Djoudi had threatened to set him on fire if he did not take part.

The court heard Djoudi had previous convictions for watch-related offences in 2014 and 2017, and police found messages on Eldahouzze’s phone including a picture of the stolen watch.

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