Two jailed for Mayfair robbery of £137,000 watch from designer

Two men have been convicted of robbing Romanian fashion designer Catalin Botezatu of a £137,000 Richard Mille watch in Mayfair. The attack took place at midnight on 28 January 2026 outside Amazonico, a Latin American restaurant near Berkeley Square. Botezatu suffered wrist injuries when a knife was used to cut the watch strap from his wrist.

Victim feared for his life

Botezatu told Southwark Crown Court he was pushed and restrained by the attackers. He described being confronted by three men who surrounded him while he was smoking with a friend. The designer, who has undergone cancer surgery and has five stents, said he feared the attack could have been fatal.

Prosecutor Arizuna Asante said the robbers wrestled the watch from Botezatu’s left wrist. The victim’s injuries suggested a knife was used to cut the rubber strap. Botezatu, who gave evidence from behind a screen, said he could not believe the attack happened in London, outside a luxury restaurant where he was a client.

Defendants claim they feared reprisals

Ali Eldahouzze and Abdel El Habchi denied knowing the robbery was about to take place. They claimed they were in fear of reprisals from the lead robber, Younes Djoudi, who pleaded guilty before the trial. A jury convicted Eldahouzze and El Habchi of robbery after a nine-day trial at Southwark Crown Court.

What happens next

All three men remain in custody until sentencing on 16 October 2026. The court will determine their prison terms following the convictions. No further hearings have been scheduled before that date.