Dramatic footage has emerged showing an illegal migrant targeting a Tim Hortons executive for his £65,000 Patek Philippe watch in Mayfair. Businessman Axel Schwan, who was walking along New Bond Street with his wife on 30 June last year, gave chase after 26-year-old Ahmed Djidi snatched the luxury timepiece. Southwark Crown Court heard that Djidi, together with two accomplices, quietly followed the couple before one of the group forcibly pulled the watch from Mr Schwan’s wrist. Although Djidi did not seize the item himself, he acted as a lookout, helping the gang identify a “valuable wrist” to target.
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On 8 October, Djidi, of Carlisle Avenue, Acton, was sentenced to 22 months in prison for robbery. The Algerian national may now face detention in an immigration centre, with the possibility of deportation to his home country. He had previously pleaded guilty to possessing cannabis, for which he was fined £100. Judge Christopher Hehir told Djidi that the theft was a “planned operation” involving three people who had deliberately sought out wealthy victims on a busy street. “You are not the one who pulled the watch from Mr Schwan’s wrist, but you are equally guilty for what happened,” he said.
The court heard that Djidi had a previous conviction for theft, having received a community order in 2022 for his role in a distraction robbery at a London railway station. Judge Hehir said the crime had a “considerable effect” on Mr Schwan and his wife, adding that only an immediate custodial sentence was appropriate. While deportation was not a matter for his court, the judge noted that he could not see how Djidi “remaining in the UK would be conducive to the public good”.
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Detective Sergeant Daniel Northcott, of the Metropolitan Police’s Central West Command Unit, said the case had “removed a notorious offender from London’s streets”. He added: “This investigation has helped make London safer by tackling those who use intimidation and theft to target the public. The Met is focusing on reducing robberies by increasing patrols in hotspot areas, deterring potential offenders and identifying those responsible. We’re seeing success, with personal robbery down by nearly 13 per cent compared to the same period last year.”
