A 73-year-old pensioner who was ambushed by a mugger and had his £30,000 watch stolen from his wrist now feels so anxious that he plans to leave London and move abroad. Sunil Chopra was walking down a street in Central London when he was brazenly attacked. CCTV footage showed Zakaria Senouci, 27, loitering with a hooded accomplice near Hyde Park before sprinting toward Mr. Chopra, grabbing his left arm, and ripping the expensive Patek Philippe watch from his wrist.
Sentimental Value and Aftermath
The watch held profound sentimental importance for Mr. Chopra, who had planned to pass it down to his son as a family heirloom. It was not insured and has not been recovered. Since the robbery, Mr. Chopra has become hyper-vigilant, suffers from anxiety, and has nightmares. He no longer feels safe in his own neighborhood and is making plans to leave the country.
Court Proceedings
Senouci, an Algerian national who changed his plea to guilty on the first day of his trial, was sentenced to three years and nine months in prison at Southwark Crown Court. He was paid 700 euros for the watch after stealing it in April 2025. The court heard that Senouci and another individual had traveled to the area and were loitering, seeking a suitable target. The judge described the robbery as unpleasant and noted that Mr. Chopra was entitled to feel safe in his own neighborhood but no longer does.
Senouci's defense counsel stated that he felt scared at the time of the robbery and that the high-value watch, not Mr. Chopra specifically, was targeted. Senouci hopes to turn his life around and help his family upon release. As an asylum seeker, his case will be referred to the Secretary of State for a decision on deportation at the end of his sentence.
