A Moroccan migrant who came to Britain with a fake birth certificate snatched a Rolex watch from a tourist two months later, a court heard.
Aylan Snouci, 22, claimed he was 16 when he arrived in the country in February.
On April 20, he followed Woosang Hwang, who was visiting from Hong Kong, through Market Mews in Mayfair before grabbing him from behind and wrenching the £38,000 designer watch from his wrist.
The victim was left with cuts and bruises, but Snouci was quickly caught and the watch was recovered, Southwark Crown Court heard.
Sentencing Snouci, who admitted robbery, Judge Gregory Perrins said: “It was no mere coincidence that you happened to rob him. You plainly targeted him when you saw that he was wearing a high-value watch.
“The victim describes being left shocked and shaken by what you did to him. It made him consider whether or not he would return to the UK.”
‘It is inevitable that you will be deported’
The judge added: “You have done your best to manipulate the court proceedings. You dishonestly told the court that you were 16. You provided a false birth certificate. You did that in a deliberate attempt to obtain a lighter sentence.
“You came to this country illegally in February 2025. You claimed to be acting under duress when you committed this offence. I make it plain that I completely reject that account. There is simply no evidence to support what you said.”
Sadi, who was assisted in court by an Arabic interpreter, was sentenced to 18 months in prison, of which he will serve 40 per cent in custody.
Judge Perrins told him: “Given the length of the sentence, and given that you are here illegally, it is inevitable that you will be deported. I anticipate that when you have served your 40 per cent, you will be detained until appropriate flights can be arranged.”
