Serial thief Txomin Huare-Place, 31, an Algerian migrant, has been jailed for two years and nine months for ripping a £65,000 Patek Philippe watch from the wrist of Canadian tourist Axel Schwan outside Sotheby's in Mayfair in 2024. The sentence is consecutive to a six-year term he is already serving for a series of further robberies.
Attack outside Sotheby's
Mr Schwan, a coffee house owner, had been visiting London to attend the Wimbledon finals and had just left the auction house with his wife when Huare-Place struck. The court heard that at around 4pm, as the couple exited Sotheby's in New Bond Street, Mr Schwan felt tugging on his left wrist with intense pain.
Prosecutor Keren Weekes said: "At around 4pm, [Mr and Mrs Schwan] exited Sotheby's in New Bond Street, walking to a shop when he felt tugging on his left wrist with intense pain. The victim says he could not understand what was happening as it happened so quickly."
Court details and victim impact
Mr Schwan chased Huare-Place but lost balance and fell over as the robber escaped with two other men on bikes. The robbery was caught on CCTV, showing Huare-Place loitering and communicating with two other males before approaching the victim and ripping the watch from his left wrist.
Ms Weekes added that the robbery had "profoundly affected" the victim emotionally, leaving him feeling vulnerable. Quoting Mr Schwan's victim impact statement, she said: "The trip was meant to be a joyful experience but took a devastating turn. We came to watch Wimbledon and went to London for a weekend shopping trip. What was supposed to be a lovely day turned into a nightmare and cast a shadow over the trip."
The watch, originally bought for £28,000, has since been discontinued and is "impossible" to replace, now valued at £65,000.
Sentencing and accomplice
Charlie Hutchins, defending, conveyed Huare-Place's remorse and apology to Mr Schwan, noting that the victim was enjoying a lovely day in the sun after attending Wimbledon. Judge Timothy Moloney KC sentenced Huare-Place to two years and nine months, consecutive to his six-year term. Ahmed Djidi, 27, was also jailed for 22 months for his involvement in the theft.
