Moment Romanian thief snatches clubber’s £11,000 Rolex watch after pretending to be devastated at the break-up with his girlfriend

This is the moment a Romanian confidence trickster pretended to be a heartbroken lover before stealing a club member’s £11,000 Rolex watch.

In the footage, well-intentioned philanthropist Mateusz Matlin is seen consoling Constantin Iosif, who pretends to be devastated because of his breakup with his girlfriend.

But when Mr Maitlin hugs a crying Iosif during their embrace, the thief knocks the expensive watch, his 21st birthday gift, off his wrist.

While Iosif was running away, a member of the public challenged him to a rugby match and he was arrested.

A Rolex watch was found in his shoe at the police station.

He was released on bail, but when he could not attend the plea hearing, he was rearrested and appeared in court again on March 4.

Prosecutor Charlotte Haime said: ‘The defendant used an effective ruse by telling the victim he had just broken up with his girlfriend.

‘We see him shaking the victim’s hand. There are pulling movements back and forth. The defendant appears to be trying to hug the victim.

‘During the trick, he is able to steal the victim’s Rolex watch from his wrist.

‘Mr Matlin says he feels very stupid and very sorry about the incident.’

‘It is clear that some force was used; The victim was targeted because of his perceived vulnerability.’

In mitigation for Iosif, who has eight convictions for 18 crimes, seven of which are theft, his lawyer, Rachel Pain, said that he is currently studying at the London College of Contemporary Arts.

He said: ‘Since 2023 he has turned his life around. He studies business part-time at university. ‘He’s been on this path for nine months.’

He revealed that he spent time in Romania to deal with depression.

‘He turned his life around and rededicated himself to religion. He stopped using drugs. ‘He was taking a mathematics lesson while in custody.’

Referring to a pre-sentence report, Ms Pain said: ‘He appears deeply embarrassed by his behaviour. ‘He is sorry and remorseful for committing this crime.’

Sentencing Iosif, Judge Martin Griffith said: ‘This is one of the strangest cases I have come across in a long time.’

‘People like you have no right to remove watches, which was no doubt to help pay for your spices or whatever you bought.’

‘It’s your chance that the public will see what you’re doing and intervene to prevent you from taking away rugby’s valuable time.’

‘Rolex watch was rescued. It was a twenty-first birthday present. It’s not a good idea to take that away from someone.’

Iosif, of Enfield, north London, admitted one count of robbery and one count of refusing to surrender.

He was given a 20-month prison sentence suspended for two years.

He will also need to complete a 15-day rehabilitation activity requirement and 100 hours of unpaid work.