A-list fashion designer Catalin Botezatu told jurors he feared for his life when he was allegedly ambushed outside a Mayfair restaurant and had a valuable Richard Mille watch cut from his wrist. The incident occurred on January 28, outside Amazonico in Berkeley Square, where Botezatu was smoking a cigar after a meal.
Botezatu, who has worked with brands like Vogue and Versace, testified that three men approached him. He was restrained, and one assailant used a knife to cut the watch strap. The watch, described as a limited edition diamond-encrusted piece with a rubber strap, has not been recovered.
Two men, Ali Eldahouzze, 22, and Abdel El Habchi, 30, deny robbery. A third man, Younes Djoudi, has admitted to the offense. The prosecution alleges the three men acted in a joint enterprise, with an element of planning involved as they allegedly scoped out the restaurant and their target.
Botezatu, 59, recounted the ordeal from behind a screen at Southwark Crown Court, explaining his concern for his health due to previous surgeries and implants. He stated he tried to protect his body from injury, which he believed could have been fatal. "I couldn't believe this was happening, that something like this would happen in London, in front of a luxury restaurant where I was a client," he told the court.
The watch was reportedly purchased for up to 200,000 euros (approximately £170,000 at the time of purchase) over a decade ago and has significant sentimental value, having been a gift from a deceased friend. The prosecution contends the watch would be worth considerably more today.
CCTV footage shown to the court depicted Botezatu on the restaurant's terrace prior to the alleged ambush. The trial, which is expected to last four days, heard that Eldahouzze's defense is that he did not foresee or participate in the robbery. Eldahouzze's defense also states he acted under duress from Djoudi and did not intend to steal the watch. El Habchi's case is that he had no knowledge of, or participation in, the alleged robbery.