Key Points
- Condemnation: Brahim Keddad, a 29-year-old citizen of France, received a sentence of 28 months (two years and four months) in jail at the Southwark Crown Court.
- The Event: Keddad tried to forcefully take away a £250,000 Richard Mille watch from Sun Tao, a visitor from China, in the St James’s district of London.
- Modus Operandi: The perpetrator came from behind the victim on a rental bicycle, grabbed him by the shoulder and knocked him down causing harm to the victim’s knee and arm.
- Interference of the Police: A number of plainclothes Metropolitan police forces operating a car in unmarked form observed the attack and managed to capture Keddad near Jermyn Street.
- Offender’s History: The offender has a long list of criminal activities; he has committed 19 previous crimes in Spain and is also accused of theft and forgery in Belgium.
- Victim’s Impact: The victim, Mr Tao, suffered from considerable stress after the attack and mentioned that he does not feel safe now when he walks alone in the city or wear expensive things.
- Future Prospect: After the completion of imprisonment of Keddad, deportation will most likely follow.
London (The Londoner News) August 7, 2026 – A prolific offender has been sentenced to 28 months behind bars following a brazen daylight robbery attempt that saw him target a tourist for a high-value timepiece in the heart of London’s West End.
Brahim Keddad, 29, was apprehended by Metropolitan Police officers during a targeted operation on 1 May, after he was observed acting suspiciously near Jermyn Street in St James’s. According to reports from the Evening Standard, the defendant, who resided on Seven Sisters Road in Islington, had been under the surveillance of plain-clothes officers when he identified his target.
As detailed by Tom Place of the Evening Standard, the victim, identified as Sun Tao, a Chinese visitor to the UK, was walking in the vicinity of Bury Street at approximately 15:30 BST when Keddad launched his attack. The defendant reportedly used a hire bike to approach the victim from behind, shouting, “Watch, give me your watch,” before forcibly grabbing the tourist and throwing him to the ground.
During the ensuing struggle, Mr Tao sustained injuries to his arm and knee. Despite the violence of the encounter, the victim managed to break free and escape the immediate vicinity before the police intervened.
How was the offender caught red-handed?
The apprehension of Keddad was the result of a proactive initiative by the Metropolitan Police. As reported by Tariq Tahir of The National, four officers patrolling in an unmarked car had been monitoring the defendant’s movements after noticing him “eyeing up” potential victims while walking slowly along Jermyn Street.
Detective Sergeant Andy Swindells, who led the investigation, emphasised the critical nature of these intelligence-led operations. As quoted by The National, DS Swindells stated that the incident “highlights the invaluable benefit of plainclothes officers being on patrol.” He added that the officers were able to “spot and arrest Keddad within minutes, returning the valuable watch to its owner and preventing others who live or visit in London from being victims.”
Following the assault, one officer exited the unmarked vehicle and pursued Keddad on foot. With the assistance of a member of the public, the officer managed to detain the defendant until backup arrived to assist with the arrest.
What was the impact on the victim?
The psychological toll of the attempted robbery was laid bare during the sentencing hearing at Southwark Crown Court. According to court documents cited by the Evening Standard, Mr Tao submitted an impact statement in which he described the ordeal as a life-changing event. He noted that the assault left him feeling “anxious” and fearful of walking alone in London, while also expressing a newfound wariness regarding the display of valuable personal items while in public.
Presiding Judge Nicholas Ainley reflected on the severity of the incident during the sentencing. As reported by The Independent, Judge Ainley commended the officers for their professional response and observed that the victim “must have been terrified” by the suddenness and intensity of the physical assault.
Why are luxury watches targeted in London?
The case has reignited discussions regarding the rise of high-value watch thefts in the capital, often referred to by local media as “Rolex ripper” crimes. While the specific timepiece in this instance was a rare Richard Mille watch, experts note that such items are highly sought after in the secondary market.
Chris Marinello, the founder of Art Recovery International, provided context regarding the appeal of these timepieces. Speaking to The National, Mr Marinello explained that Richard Mille watches are effectively “works of art” due to their complex, high-precision mechanics and limited production runs.
“It’s a way of showing off the movement and showing off the artistry that goes into it,” Mr Marinello told The National. He further noted that the brand, which was founded in 2001 and has cemented its status through associations with Formula One and high-profile athletes, represents a “statement” piece often worn by the ultra-wealthy. Because these watches hold their value and are difficult to track once stolen, they have become prime targets for criminal networks operating in affluent districts like Mayfair and St James’s.
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What is the background of the defendant?
The court learned that Keddad is a French national with an extensive history of criminal activity. According to reporting by The Independent and The National, he holds 19 previous convictions in Spain. Furthermore, he remains a wanted individual in Belgium, where he was previously sentenced to three years in prison for offences related to theft and forgery.
During the proceedings, it was disclosed that the defendant offered a personal justification for his actions, claiming that he attempted the robbery to provide for his daughter, who currently resides in France. The court remained unmoved by the defence, ultimately handing down a 28-month prison sentence.
Prosecutor Luka Staton, as cited by the Evening Standard, detailed the aggressive nature of the attempt, noting that the defendant had his hands on the victim’s wrist as he sought to remove the watch by force.
What happens next for the offender?
Following his sentencing, the court confirmed that the defendant will serve at least half of his 28-month term in custody. Furthermore, given his status as a foreign national with a significant criminal history, it is expected that he will face formal deportation proceedings upon his release from prison.
The Metropolitan Police have indicated that they intend to continue their targeted operations to disrupt criminal networks that blight the reputation of London as a safe destination. “The Met continues to carry out intelligence-led patrols and targeted operations to identify offenders, disrupt criminal networks and protect the public,” DS Swindells stated to The National. “As a result, we’re getting more offenders like Keddad off the street.”
