The court heard that on September 15 a 51-year-old Canadian tourist left a bar in Wardour Street to walk back to his hotel. As they did this, one of them took his watch from his wrist before running away towards Old Compton Street in Soho. The judge sentenced Ababsa to two years and eight months' jail and Hammouth was sentenced to two years and three months. “The defendants have let down the people of London who value tourism and the contribution it makes to our vibrant city. “It saddens me that the watch was not recovered – I sincerely hope that the sentences handed down bring the victim some satisfaction.”

Source: The Times October 14, 2023 15:32 UTC