Algerian national Mohamed Sellaqui is to be deported from the United Kingdom after being convicted of a 'professional' robbery involving a £37,000 luxury watch in Mayfair
The 19-year-old, who was in the country illegally, targeted a Chinese chemistry professor outside the world-famous Langan's Brasserie in February.
A jury at Southwark Crown Court found Sellaoui guilty of robbery after he forcefully ripped a Patek Philippe timepiece from the victim's wrist.
The case has sparked fresh outrage over illegal immigrant crime in the UK and why 'high-risk' offenders are permitted to remain on British streets.
Judge Gregory Perrins described Sellaoui as a career criminal with 'no remorse', confirming that the Home Office will begin the foreign national offender removal process immediately following his prison sentence.
Sellaoui was already on bail for a separate theft at the time of the attack, leading to accusations of a systemic failure in UK deportation policy and judicial risk assessment.
The incident took place on 26 February 2024 outside Langan's Brasserie in Mayfair, where the victim, Jiangfeng Ni, a professor, was approached shortly after leaving the restaurant.
Here's illegal Algerian immigrant Mohamed Sellaoui grabbing a £37k watch from a Chinese tourist. He was jailed for 21 monthshttps://t.co/wWr8UQAEXWpic.twitter.com/CA4JyY3LOr
Court proceedings heard that Sellaoui forcefully removed aPatek Philippe watchvalued at £37,000 from Ni's wrist before fleeing the scene.
Prosecutor Lynn Fanshawe told Southwark Crown Court that the victim described the watch as deeply sentimental, stating it had 'changed his feelings towards London' and left him feeling 'very nervous' when people came close to him.
Source: International Business Times UK
