A thief who targeted a Chinese tourist and attempted to rip a £250,000 Richard Mille watch from his wrist in central London has been jailed for 28 months. Brahim Keddad, 29, targeted Sun Tao in the St James’s area of London on April 30 after being spotted behaving suspiciously by plain-clothes Metropolitan Police officers. Southwark Crown Court heard Keddad grabbed Mr Tao from behind and attempted to wrench the luxury watch from his wrist. During the struggle, Mr Tao was pushed to the ground and suffered injuries to his knee and arm.
‘Give me your watch’
Prosecutor Luke Staton told the court Keddad used both hands to grab Mr Tao’s shoulder before shouting: “Give me your watch.” He then used force in an attempt to remove the Richard Mille, valued at around £250,000. Mr Tao managed to break free and run away. Keddad’s attempt was brought to an end almost immediately when a plain-clothes Metropolitan Police officer who had been watching him intervened and detained him. Police said Keddad had earlier been seen walking slowly through Mayfair and scanning members of the public before targeting Mr Tao.
Tourist left anxious after attack
The court heard the incident had a lasting impact on the victim. Mr Tao said he now feels anxious when walking alone in London and avoids wearing expensive belongings in public. Sentencing Keddad, Judge Nicholas Ainley said Mr Tao “must have been terrified by the suddenness of what happened”. The judge praised the officers who intervened, saying their actions “might well have meant this offence was not completed”. He rejected suggestions that Keddad had acted opportunistically, concluding that he had been “on a mission to steal and rob” and had deliberately identified a “very high-value item”.
More than 20 previous convictions
The court heard Keddad, an Algerian national who had been living in Islington, has more than 20 previous convictions for theft and robbery across Europe. Earlier this year he received a community order following an attempted theft at King’s Cross. Keddad also has multiple convictions in Spain and is wanted in Belgium, where the court heard he had been sentenced in his absence to three years for theft and forgery. His barrister, Elizabeth Garcia, said Keddad had turned to crime because of gambling debts and had been sending money to support his young daughter in France. Keddad was sentenced to 28 months in prison. He is expected to serve half of the custodial term before release and is expected to face deportation.
