Moroccan migrant, 22, who snatched £38k Rolex from tourist’s wrist just months after arriving in Britain with a fake birth certificate faces deportation

An immigrant who stole a £38,000 Rolex from a tourist two months after arriving in the UK with a fake birth certificate faces deportation after serving a prison sentence.

Aylan Snouci, a 22-year-old Moroccan, claimed that he was only 16 years old when he arrived in the country in February.

After following Hong Kong national Woosang Hwang into Market Mews in Mayfair, Snouci grabbed him from behind and ripped his designer watch off his wrist.

Mr Hwang was left with cuts and bruises following the attack on April 30 this year.

Southwark Crown Court heard Snouci was quickly apprehended and the watch was recovered.

Sentencing, Judge Gregory Perrins said: ‘Woosang Hwang was on his way to Heathrow to return to Hong Kong after being in London on business.

‘You decided to rob him while walking down the street. You grabbed him from behind. Using a large amount of force, you removed his Rolex watch from his wrist.

‘He also said you caused the cuts and bruises. You ran away but were chased and caught.

‘It wasn’t just a coincidence that you robbed him. You clearly targeted him when you saw him wearing a high value watch which I was told was worth around $50,000 (£38,000).

‘The victim describes being shocked and shocked by what you did to her. This made him consider whether he should return to the UK.’

The judge added: ‘This is not a case in which it can be said that the force used was minimal. The victim himself said a large amount of force was used and I accept that at face value.

‘You broke the strap of his watch and left a mark on his skin.

‘You had only been in the country for two months when you were detained. You did your best to manipulate the court process.

‘You dishonestly told the court that you were sixteen years old. You provided a false birth certificate. You insisted on claiming that you were a child. You did this on purpose to get a lighter sentence.

‘This was clearly an attempt to pervert the course of justice.

‘You came to this country illegally in February 2025. You claimed that you acted under duress when committing this crime. I make it clear that I completely reject this account. There is no evidence to support what you say.

‘As you have shown in the matter of your age, you were prepared to lie to get a lesser sentence. ‘I have absolutely no reason to believe anything you say.’

Snouci, of Brent, was sentenced to 18 months in prison and will serve 40 percent of that time in custody.

Judge Perrins told Snouci: ‘Given the length of the sentence and the fact that you are here illegally, it is inevitable that you will be deported.

‘I anticipate that after you have paid your forty percent debt you will be detained until suitable flights can be arranged.’

In court, with the help of an Arabic translator, Snouci confessed to one count of robbery.