A thief who was part of a gang that stole a Patek Philippe watch worth more than $120,000 from Tim Hortons president Axel Schwan has been sentenced to two years in jail.
Ahmed Djidi, 26, was part of a gang that ripped the watch from Schwan’s wrist as he was walking through Mayfair, an upscale London, U.K. neighbourhood, on June 30 last year, according to
.
Schwan is
president of Tim Hortons’ Canadian and U.S. business
.
Djidi appeared in a London court on Thursday, where he was sentenced, aided by an Arabic interpreter, to 22 months behind bars. He had already
admitted to one count of theft
at a court hearing back in June,
reported at the time.
However, he already served the time in custody and was
due to be released today.
During the sentencing hearing,
, Judge Christopher Hehir said to Djidi: ‘You had two accomplices. The three of you waited on a busy street looking to identify any passer-by with a valuable wristwatch that you could steal. You stole a Patek Philippe watch from Mr Schwan who was walking on a Sunday afternoon with his wife. Some degree of force was used to grab the watch from his wrist. The effect on him and his wife has been considerable. This is a serious offence, and only an immediate prison sentence is appropriate in your case.”
The
that Djidi was in the U.K. illegally and has “been in trouble” for theft before. For example in 2022, said Judge Hehir, Djidi received a community service order for a distraction theft of luggage at a London railway station.
In the Schwan case, the judge continued, the theft was planned. “You played your part as a lookout with two others. You are not the one who pulled the watch from Mr Schwan’s wrist, but you are equally guilty for what happened.”
In considering Djidi’s future,
Judge Hehir reportedly went on to suggest deportation
might be in the offing. He remarked that he couldn’t see how Djidi remaining in the U.K. would be “conducive to the public good.” However, the judge conceded that immigration matters were not within his court’s authority.
Meanwhile, Djidi will be subject to a “criminal behaviour order” for seven years, preventing him from entering the London borough of Westminster or interacting with his two accomplices.
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