BBC Breakfast Presenter Left Scarred After Violent Watch Robbery in London
BBC Breakfast star Ben Thompson has been left with physical and emotional scars after a gang targeted him and a friend in a violent robbery in London, stealing expensive watches worth thousands of pounds. The incident, which occurred as the presenter was returning home from a restaurant in Mayfair, has profoundly shaken his sense of safety in the city.
Details of the Terrifying Attack
According to reports, Thompson and his companion, Roja Dove, were ambushed by a group of six men in the early hours. Dove, a 69-year-old, was thrown to the ground and had his diamond-encrusted Patek Philippe watch, valued at £150,000, forcibly taken. The assailants then turned to Thompson, ripping a £7,000 Rolex from his wrist, an act that left a visible scar where the watch was torn away.
In a victim impact statement read out in court, Thompson described how the experience has altered his behaviour. "I am nervous and jumpy when I hear a jogger or cyclist approaching behind me," he admitted, highlighting the lasting psychological impact of the crime. The Rolex was a special gift from his partner, Andy Roche, to celebrate his 40th birthday, featuring a personalised engraved note, making its loss particularly poignant.
Legal Proceedings and Sentencing
The case was heard at the Old Bailey, where it was revealed that the pair had been watched leaving Cecconi's restaurant in Burlington Gardens by a "spotter" before the attack. CCTV footage played a crucial role in identifying two of the perpetrators: Hocine Boulanouar, 26, and Danis Tom-Deter, 36.
Boulanouar, who was in breach of a suspended sentence at the time of the robbery, denied involvement despite video evidence, but was found guilty and jailed for four years and three months. Tom-Deter admitted his role in the theft and received a sentence of two years and nine months.
During sentencing, Mr Recorder Jeremy Benson emphasised the severity of the crime, stating, "This was clearly a very frightening experience on the streets of central London at night. They were set upon and each man was held while their watches were dragged off their wrists."
Impact on the Victims
Both victims have expressed how the robbery has transformed their daily lives. Dove, who purchased the stolen Patek Philippe as a gift to himself at age 65, lamented, "I have worked hard for everything I have. The theft of the watch has meant all my hard work has been pointless." He added that he now feels "on high alert and very nervous" in London, a city he once loved.
Thompson, a former Middle East correspondent for the BBC, echoed these sentiments, confirming that the incident has left him feeling unsafe and constantly vigilant when walking through central London. The emotional toll, combined with the physical scar from the robbery, underscores the broader issue of street crime affecting residents and visitors in the capital.
This case highlights ongoing concerns about safety and violent theft in urban areas, with high-profile incidents like this drawing attention to the need for increased security measures and public awareness.
