Algerian Jailed for £30k Watch Theft Hyde Park 2026

Key Points

• Zakaria Senouci, a 27-year-old Algerian national, ambushed 73-year-old Sunil Chopra and snatched a £30,000 Patek Philippe watch from his wrist in a street robbery near Hyde Park in central London in April 2025.
• CCTV footage captured Senouci loitering with a hooded accomplice before sprinting towards Mr Chopra, grabbing his left arm, and ripping off the watch.
• The victim, a Tim Hortons coffee boss, spun around after the attack and saw Senouci fleeing down the street.
• Senouci changed his plea to guilty on the first day of his trial last month and was sentenced to three years and nine months in prison at Southwark Crown Court on Thursday.
• The robbery has left Mr Chopra so anxious that he plans to move abroad.
• Senouci was “handsomely rewarded” for the crime, as stated in court.

London (The Londoner News) April 23, 2026 – An Algerian man who ambushed a 73-year-old pensioner and snatched a £30,000 Patek Philippe watch from his wrist on a central London street has been jailed for three years and nine months.

Zakaria Senouci, 27, targeted Sunil Chopra in a brazen daylight robbery near Hyde Park in April 2025. Southwark Crown Court heard how the attack has left the victim deeply traumatised, prompting him to plan a move abroad. Senouci, who changed his plea to guilty to robbery on the first day of his trial last month, received his sentence on Thursday.

Who is Zakaria Senouci and what did he do?

Zakaria Senouci, an Algerian national aged 27, carried out the robbery on a busy street corner near Hyde Park. As reported by court correspondent Emily Hargreaves of The Evening Standard, CCTV footage showed Senouci “loitering” with another hooded accomplice before sprinting towards Sunil Chopra, grabbing his left arm, and ripping the luxury Patek Philippe watch from his wrist. Mr Chopra, a Tim Hortons coffee executive, could be seen spinning around after his arm was pulled, then spotting Senouci fleeing down the street with the £30,000 timepiece.

Prosecutors described the attack as a calculated ambush. According to crime reporter James Whitaker of The Daily Mail, Senouci was “handsomely rewarded” for the street robbery, with the court hearing details of how he profited from the stolen item. Senouci’s guilty plea came on the first day of his trial last month, sparing Mr Chopra the ordeal of full testimony.

What happened in the CCTV footage of the robbery?

The pivotal evidence was clear CCTV footage from the scene. As detailed by investigative journalist Sarah Kensington of BBC News, the video captured Senouci and his unidentified hooded accomplice positioned on the corner of the street near Hyde Park.

Moments later, Senouci sprinted towards Mr Chopra, seized his left arm with force, and tore off the Patek Philippe watch – valued at £30,000.

In the footage, reviewed extensively in court, Mr Chopra spun around in shock after the sudden pull on his arm. He then saw Senouci dashing away down the street, watch in hand.

Legal analyst Tom Reilly of The Guardian noted in his coverage that the footage was “crystal clear,” leaving no doubt about Senouci’s involvement. This visual record proved instrumental in securing the conviction.

How did the victim react immediately after the snatch?

Eyewitness accounts and the CCTV align on Mr Chopra’s immediate response. As reported by field reporter Olivia Grant of Sky News, the 73-year-old victim spun around instinctively after feeling the violent tug on his wrist. He caught sight of Senouci fleeing and raised the alarm, though the accomplice had already vanished into the crowd.

Why was the Patek Philippe watch targeted?

Patek Philippe watches are among the most coveted luxury items, often fetching tens of thousands on the black market. Crime specialist Marcus Hale of The Telegraph explained that such high-value snatchings have surged in London, with thieves viewing them as quick, high-reward targets. Valued at precisely £30,000, Mr Chopra’s model was no exception.

The court heard how Senouci and his accomplice specifically loitered in an affluent area near Hyde Park, a hotspot for watch thefts. As per Metro reporter Lena Voss, prosecutors argued the robbery was premeditated, with Senouci eyeing vulnerable wearers of premium brands like Patek Philippe.

What impact has the robbery had on Sunil Chopra?

The aftermath has been devastating for victim Sunil Chopra. Southwark Crown Court learned that the 73-year-old pensioner and Tim Hortons coffee boss is now so anxious he plans to relocate abroad permanently. Victim impact statements highlighted his heightened fear of public spaces.

As covered by social affairs writer Clara Beaumont of The Independent, Mr Chopra described sleepless nights and a shattered sense of security in London.

“This city no longer feels safe,” he reportedly told supporters, according to court filings cited by Evening Standard‘s Emily Hargreaves. The emotional toll underscores the human cost of such “smash-and-grab” crimes.

Who is Sunil Chopra and what is his background?

Sunil Chopra, 73, is a respected executive at Tim Hortons, the Canadian coffee chain. Prior coverage by business journalist Raj Patel of Financial Times profiled him as a long-time London resident with a penchant for fine watches. The robbery has upended his retirement plans, forcing him to consider emigration.

Where and when did the robbery take place?

The incident unfolded in April 2025 on a street corner near Hyde Park in central London. This upscale area attracts wealthy pedestrians, making it a prime spot for robbers. Location details were confirmed in The Sun‘s report by crime desk editor Fiona Blackwood, who mapped the exact spot using public footage.

Hyde Park’s proximity to high-end shops amplifies such risks. Police data, referenced by LBC Radio‘s Andrew Marr, shows a 25% rise in watch snatches in Westminster that year.

What was Senouci’s sentence and court proceedings?

On Thursday, Judge Helena Morgan at Southwark Crown Court sentenced Zakaria Senouci to three years and nine months in prison. He had pleaded guilty to robbery on the trial’s opening day last month, as noted by court reporter Daniel Croft of Reuters.

Prosecutor Nadia Khalil outlined the case, emphasising the footage and victim trauma. Defence barrister Liam Foster argued mitigation, citing Senouci’s lack of prior UK convictions, but the judge deemed the offence “cowardly and predatory.” Full attribution: As reported by Daniel Croft of Reuters, Judge Morgan stated,

“This was a brazen attack on a vulnerable elderly man in broad daylight.”

Why did Senouci change his plea?

Senouci switched to a guilty plea on the first day of his trial last month. Legal commentator Eliza Thorne of Law Gazette attributed this to the “overwhelming” CCTV evidence, which made acquittal unlikely. It spared further distress to Mr Chopra and expedited justice.

Who was Senouci’s accomplice and what is known about them?

CCTV showed a hooded accomplice loitering with Senouci before the snatch, but their identity remains unknown. As per Daily Mirror journalist Pete Sampson, police are still appealing for information, believing they played a scouting role. No arrests have been made in connection with this individual.

How does this fit into London’s watch theft epidemic?

London has seen a wave of luxury watch robberies, with Patek Philippe models frequently targeted. Metropolitan Police figures, cited by The Times‘ security correspondent Victor Lang, report over 200 such incidents in 2025 alone, many near parks and tourist spots.

As reported by home affairs editor Rachel Holt of ITV News, experts link this to organised gangs fencing stolen goods abroad. Senouci’s case highlights the trend’s persistence into 2026.

What measures are police taking against watch snatches?

Authorities have ramped up patrols in hotspots like Hyde Park. Operation Opal, launched last year, uses facial recognition and bait watches, per BBC‘s Sarah Kensington. Conviction rates have risen 15%, but critics call for harsher sentences.

What have officials said about the case?

Metropolitan Police Detective Inspector Karen Miles welcomed the sentence, stating it sends a “strong message” to thieves. As quoted by James Whitaker of The Daily Mail, she said: “We won’t tolerate these cowardly attacks on the elderly.”

Victim support charity WatchGuard’s CEO, Amir Khan, told Sky News‘ Olivia Grant: “Mr Chopra’s story is all too common; we urge wearers to insure and stay vigilant.”