Man jailed for Hyde Park robbery of £30,000 watch

A robber who ambushed a 73-year-old man and snatched a £30,000 watch from his wrist on a central London street has been jailed for three years and nine months.

Zakaria Senouci, 27, targeted Sunil Chopra as he walked along a pavement near Hyde Park, stealing his Patek Philippe watch worth around £30,000.

The attack took place in April last year and left the victim so shaken by the ordeal that he was considering leaving the UK, Southwark Crown Court heard.

During sentencing, District Judge Mark Weekes told Senouci that his "involvement was voluntary" in an "opportunistic plan" to steal. His defence counsel told the court that he regretted his actions and the harm he caused to Chopra.

Footage showed Senouci running towards Chopra, grabbing his arm and forcibly tearing the timepiece from his wrist.

The victim stumbled and watched as the attacker ran off down the street. The watch has never been recovered and was uninsured.

The judge described the offence as a calculated and distressing robbery of an elderly man who had every right to feel safe in his own neighbourhood.

The impact on the victim, he said, had been severe and long‑lasting.

He added that the watch had been of "profound sentimental importance" and intended as a family heirloom, to be passed on to Chopra's son.

The court heard that a year after the robbery, Chopra no longer feels safe. Instead he is anxious, "hyper vigilant" and also has nightmares.

The judge added: "Tragically as a consequence of the offence, he no longer feels safe in this wonderful country and thinks he may have to leave the UK."

The court was told that Senouci played a willing role in carrying out the robbery, even if others were involved in organising it.

He said he had been persuaded to commit the theft by someone he had recently met and was promised €1,000 for taking part, but ultimately received €700.

Sentencing him, the judge said he had been "handsomely rewarded" for what amounted to "an hour's work targeting an elderly man", despite not being paid the full sum he expected.

Earlier Senouci's defence counsel Elega Simpson said he recalled feeling "scared at the time" of the robbery, adding that it was the high value watch and not Mr Chopra specifically who had been targeted.

She stated: "Regrettably the watch was handed to another individual. He has no idea what happened to it."

She said: "He regrets his actions. He did not intend to cause harm to Mr Chopra."

The court also heard that Senouci is a mechanic and applied for asylum after arriving in the UK at the age of 22. He hopes to turn his life around and help his family when he is released.

Senouci, an Algerian national, admitted robbery after initially pleading not guilty.

The court heard he would be referred to the Home Office for consideration of deportation once he completes his sentence.

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