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

Algerian thief to be deported after stealing £37,000 watch from tourist

A 19-year-old Algerian national has been sentenced to deportation following a theft at a luxury restaurant in Mayfair. The accused targeted a wealthy tourist, Jiangfeng Ni, a chemistry professor from China, as he exited Langan’s Brasserie on Stratton Street.

Mr. Ni recounted the incident to jurors at Southwark Crown Court, aided by a Chinese interpreter. He described being surrounded by two individuals as he left the establishment, with one of them attempting to remove his Patek Phillipe timepiece from his left wrist. Once the pair had fled, Mr. Ni noted that the person holding the watch fell over, still clutching it.

“My mind went blank. In my head I had to ask myself: ‘What happened?’” the professor stated during the trial.

Defense counsel Joshua Clements contested the professor’s account, arguing that he had confused the suspects and added details not present in his initial police report. The lawyer also highlighted that Mr. Ni had spent nearly an hour during the identity parade, asking to see different images 15 times before identifying the accused.

Mr. Ni, however, insisted on his clarity, explaining that his strong vision allowed him to distinguish the individual who pushed him. “I was quite nervous, but who pushed me—it was quite obvious,” he said.

Verdict and Sentencing

Sellaoui, supported by an Arabic interpreter, initially pleaded not guilty to the robbery charge. However, the jury found him guilty after a three-day trial. Judge Gregory Perrins acknowledged the defendant’s youth but warned that deportation would follow his sentence.

“Taking into account his age at the time of the incident, I am ordering a pre-sentence report. But you should have no illusion that you will be sentenced and then deported,” the judge declared.

Despite the defense’s request for a suspended sentence, the judge emphasized that Sellaoui’s illegal status made it impossible to grant leniency. He remanded the teenager in custody for sentencing on April 9.

Investigation Details

Detective Constable Kira Halson, leading the Met Police’s investigation, noted that the case highlights the force’s focus on violent crimes. She explained that CCTV footage quickly narrowed the suspect pool, with a local officer recognizing Sellaoui during a patrol.

“Securing justice for the victim is a priority, and Sellaoui is a prolific offender despite his young age,” Halson added.