Designer's £137k watch cut from wrist in Mayfair, court told
Two men deny robbery of Richard Mille timepiece outside Amazonico restaurant.
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Romanian fashion designer Catalin Botezatu was robbed of a Richard Mille watch valued at more than £137,000 when its strap was cut from his wrist outside a Mayfair restaurant. Ali Eldahouzze, 22, and Abdel El Habchi, 30, deny one count of robbery. A third man, Younes Djoudi, has pleaded guilty to the charge.
Robbery details
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Jurors at Southwark Crown Court heard that Mr Botezatu was accosted just before midnight on 28 January 2026, after leaving the Amazonico restaurant in Berkeley Square. Prosecutor Arizuna Asante told the court that Mr Botezatu had been standing near his car smoking with a friend when he was approached by three males. The prosecution alleges the three men surrounded Mr Botezatu and took the watch from his left wrist. It is believed a knife was used to cut through the rubber strap, as the victim sustained cuts to his wrists after the watch was removed, the court was told.
The prosecution suggested that before the incident, Djoudi had walked past Mr Botezatu as he smoked outside the restaurant shortly after 10:15pm. He later reappeared with Eldahouzze and El Habchi. Mr Asante stated that the three men looked at the alleged victim before walking away, suggesting this indicated they were observing the restaurant and Mr Botezatu, and must have noticed the watch. Eldahouzze and El Habchi, who were assisted by an Arabic interpreter in court, deny the charge of robbery.
The watch
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The Richard Mille watch is diamond-encrusted and was reportedly worth more than 160,000 euro, equivalent to £137,000. Mr Botezatu had owned the watch for approximately 10 years, and prosecutors indicated it would now be worth significantly more. The trial continues.
Questions this report answers
+What was stolen from Catalin Botezatu?
Catalin Botezatu was robbed of a diamond-encrusted Richard Mille watch valued at more than £137,000. The prosecution stated that the watch strap was cut from his wrist with a knife, causing lacerations.
+Who is accused of the robbery?
Ali Eldahouzze, 22, and Abdel El Habchi, 30, are accused of the robbery. A third man, Younes Djoudi, has pleaded guilty to the charge.
+When and where did the robbery take place?
The robbery occurred outside the Amazonico restaurant in Berkeley Square, Mayfair, central London, just before midnight on 28 January 2026.
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