A-list fashion designer who had luxury Richard Mille watch ‘cut from wrist outside Mayfair restaurant’ tells jury: ‘I couldn’t believe that something like this would happen in London’
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Catalin Botezatu, the Romanian fashion designer, gave evidence at Southwark Crown Court that he "couldn't believe" a robbery of this kind could happen in London, describing how three men allegedly ambushed him outside the Mayfair restaurant Amazonico and cut a diamond-encrusted Richard Mille watch from his wrist. He told jurors he tried to protect his left arm because previous cancer surgery and five fitted stents meant a blow to that side could have been fatal, but was overpowered as two men restrained him while a third sliced through the watch strap with a sharp instrument. The watch has never been recovered.
Prosecutors say CCTV shows the three defendants scoping out Botezatu on the restaurant terrace before the alleged robbery on 28 January, describing it as a planned "joint enterprise" rather than an opportunistic attack. The watch, bought for up to 200,000 euros (about £170,000) over a decade ago and given to Botezatu by a friend who has since died, is said to be worth considerably more today and held deep sentimental value. Ali Eldahouzze, 22, and Abdel El Habchi, 30, deny robbery, with Eldahouzze claiming he acted under duress and El Habchi denying any involvement, while a third man, Younes Djoudi, has already pleaded guilty. The trial is expected to last four days.
- Designer Botezatu testified he feared for his life during the alleged theft
- CCTV allegedly shows attackers scoping him out beforehand at restaurant
- Two defendants deny robbery; third already pleaded guilty
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Catalin Botezatu is a well-known Romanian fashion designer who says he was robbed of an expensive watch while leaving a restaurant in Mayfair, one of London's most exclusive districts. He is giving evidence at Southwark Crown Court, where three men are linked to the alleged robbery: one has already admitted the offence, while two others are on trial and deny being involved in the way prosecutors describe.
The case centres on a Richard Mille watch, a brand known for producing some of the most expensive timepieces in the world, often studded with jewels and costing well into six figures. Watches of this kind have become a common target for street robberies in London in recent years, which is part of why an incident like this attracts attention.
The trial will examine what exactly happened outside the restaurant, whether it was a planned attack, and what role each of the two contesting defendants played, with one reportedly arguing he was forced to take part against his will.
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