Three men accused in £137k watch robbery trial
A Romanian entrepreneur had his diamond-encrusted timepiece cut from his wrist on a Mayfair restaurant terrace.
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Abdel El Habchi and Ali Eldahouzze deny robbing a Romanian entrepreneur of a diamond-encrusted Richard Mille watch worth over £137,000 in Mayfair on 28 January. The court heard that Younes Djoudi has pleaded guilty to the offence. The incident took place on the terrace of the Amazonico restaurant in Berkeley Square shortly before midnight.
Details of the incident
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Police were called to Lovett Drive on Friday morning following reports of an altercation.
The victim, identified as entrepreneur Catalin Botezatu, was reportedly having dinner before being targeted. Southwark Crown Court was told that the watch was cut from his wrist with a blade while he was smoking a cigar with a friend on the restaurant's terrace. El Habchi, who has over a million followers on social media in Morocco, told the jury he was unaware a watch had been taken until later.
El Habchi stated that while in Djoudi's car near the restaurant, he was in the back seat watching videos. He heard Djoudi speaking aggressively and threateningly to Eldahouzze. Later, while walking in the vicinity, El Habchi said he saw Djoudi take something from the victim's hand. He explained his decision to run from the scene by saying he panicked, having never been in such a situation before.
To be honest with you I felt as if I was betrayed, I had no idea what was happening and I found myself in this problem.
Abdel El Habchi
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Bartosz Poklek, 30, from Bexley, admitted running a large-scale network distributing videos of animal abuse.
El Habchi also told the court that Djoudi had threatened him and his children. He stated that Djoudi warned him that if he reported the incident to the police, he would 'burn your kids'. El Habchi described feeling threatened and scared of Djoudi, whom he claimed had extensive connections. He said his primary concern was the safety of his children.
Ongoing proceedings
The trial is continuing at Southwark Crown Court. The prosecution alleges that El Habchi and Eldahouzze participated in the robbery, while Djoudi has admitted his guilt.
Questions this report answers
+What was stolen in the Mayfair robbery?
A diamond-encrusted Richard Mille watch worth more than £137,000 was stolen. The watch was cut from the victim's wrist with a blade on the terrace of the Amazonico restaurant in Berkeley Square.
+Who has been charged in connection with the robbery?
Abdel El Habchi and Ali Eldahouzze are on trial denying the charge of robbery. Younes Djoudi has pleaded guilty to the offence. The victim was a Romanian entrepreneur.
+When and where did the robbery take place?
The incident occurred on 28 January in Mayfair, London. The robbery took place on the terrace of the Amazonico restaurant in Berkeley Square shortly before midnight.
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