London court sentences man for attempted $337,000 watch theft

A 29-year-old Algerian national, Brahim K., has been sentenced to two years and four months in prison by the Southwark Crown Court following an attempted violent robbery in London.

The incident occurred on May 1 in the St James’s district. The defendant targeted a Chinese tourist on Jermyn Street, attempting to seize a Richard Mille luxury watch valued at approximately £250,000 (about $337,000). The attempt was thwarted by undercover police officers and a passerby who intervened as the suspect approached the victim on a rental bicycle.

During the proceedings, Judge Nicholas Ainley noted the victim was left terrified by the sudden brutality of the attack. The defendant claimed he intended to take the watch for his daughter living in France, an explanation the court found unconvincing. Investigations revealed the suspect has an extensive criminal history, including 19 convictions in Spain and a pending three-year sentence in Belgium for theft and forgery.