Watch worth £137,000 cut from designer's wrist in Mayfair

Fashion designer Catalin Botezatu was robbed of a diamond-encrusted Richard Mille watch valued at more than £137,000 in Mayfair. The incident took place outside the restaurant Amazonico in Berkeley Square shortly before midnight on January 28, Southwark Crown Court was told.

Allegations in court

Prosecutors allege that Mr Botezatu was approached by three males after standing outside the restaurant smoking with a friend. The three men surrounded him and took the watch from his left wrist. It is believed a knife was used to cut through the rubber strap, causing cuts to Mr Botezatu's wrists, according to prosecutor Arizuna Asante. The defendants, Ali Eldahouzze, 22, and Abdel El Habchi, 30, deny one count of robbery. A third man, Younes Djoudi, has pleaded guilty to the robbery, the court heard.

The court heard that Mr Botezatu had received the watch approximately 10 years ago and its current value is estimated to be significantly more. Prosecutors suggested that Djoudi had walked past Mr Botezatu earlier in the evening, before returning with Eldahouzze and El Habchi. This, the prosecution stated, demonstrated that all three individuals were observing the restaurant and the victim, and likely noticed the valuable watch.

Eldahouzze and El Habchi, who wore a white shirt and dark tie, and a patterned short-sleeved shirt respectively, were assisted by an Arabic interpreter during the proceedings. The trial is ongoing.