An Algerian migrant has been jailed for almost three years after ripping a £65,000 watch from a Canadian tourist.
Serial thief Txomin Huare-Place, 31, tore the Patek Philippe watch from coffee house owner Axel Schwan’s wrist outside Sotheby’s in 2024.
Mr Schwan had been visiting London to attend the Wimbledon finals, and had just accompanied the auction house in Mayfair with his wife when Huare-Place struck.
Huare-Place is a member of the “Rolex Rippers” gangs that have become known for terrorising tourists in London's West End.
Since the attack on Mr Schwan, he has since been jailed for six years over a series of further robberies, most recently when he and another thief targeted watches from passengers coming out of black cabs.
He was arrested and interviewed at HMP Wandsworth, and admitted one count of robbery earlier this month.
On Tuesday, Southwark Crown Court heard that he inflicted “intense pain” on his victim as he yanked at the watch.
Prosecutor Keren Weekes said: “At around 4pm, [Mr and Mrs Schwan] exited Sotheby's in New Bond Street, walking to a shop when he felt tugging on his left wrist with intense pain.
“The victim says he could not understand what was happening as it happened so quickly.”
The court heard that Mr Schwan chased Huare-Place but “lost balance and fell over” as the robber escaped with two other men on bikes.
Ms Weekes added: “The robbery was caught on CCTV. It shows the defendant loitering around, communicating with two other males before the robbery.
“He approached the victim and ripped his watch from his left wrist.”
Txomin Huare-Place
Met Police
The prosecutor added that the robbery had “profoundly affected” the victim emotionally and had left him feeling “vulnerable.”
Quoting Mr Schwan's victim impact statement, she said: “The trip was meant to be a joyful experience but took a devastating turn.
“We came to watch Wimbledon and went to London for a weekend shopping trip. What was supposed to be a lovely day turned into a nightmare and cast a shadow over the trip.”
Mr Schwan said the watch, which was originally bought for £28,000, has since been discontinued and was “impossible” to replace, and is now valued at £65,000.
Charlie Hutchins, defending, said: “My client would like to convey his remorse, and he would like to apologise to Mr Schwan for the offence.
“He appreciates that he clearly was enjoying a lovely day in the sun, by the sounds of it, having gone to Wimbledon. Nobody deserves that, so he would like to apologise for that.”
Judge Timothy Moloney KC sentenced Huare-Place to two years and nine months, consecutive to his six-year term.
Ahmed Djidi, 27, was also jailed for 22 months for his involvement in the theft.