Algerian Rolex Ripper preyed on man in an orthopedic boot

An illegal immigrant who snatched a £28,000 watch from a businessman hobbling down the street with a broken ankle has been jailed for more than two years.

Darrogh O’Sullivan wearing an orthopedic boot outside Liverpool Street station when Algerian Mohammed Fremoule, 29, wrenched the timepiece from his wrist on 16 August last year.

Fremoule, who entered the country illegally, was aided by an Arabic interpreter at Inner London Crown Court as he admitted robbery.

Gary Rutter, prosecuting, said: ‘Darrogh O’Sullivan was standing outside London Liverpool Street Station with a friend. He had been out drinking at a restaurant with his friend.

‘While they were standing and chatting he felt his watch being tugged from his wrist. The watch had been a 40th birthday present that he had bought for himself.

‘It was not insured. He suffered a loss because the watch wasn’t recovered.’

‘The defendant was identified by CCTV and it was circulated as wanted.’

He was arrested on 29 March after he was found to be in the possession of a stolen mobile phone.

‘On 29 March 2026 police officers noticed the defendant and another person acting suspiciously within several licensed premises. The defendant was stopped as a result.’

He was found to have a £700 iPhone wrapped in foil in his possession. The owner had traced it using the Find My Phone App.

Fremoule told police he bought the phone from a drug user in King’s Cross, and said he made a living selling selling on devices.

He was later charged with robbing Mr O’Sullivan.

In a victim impact statement Mr O’Sullivan said: ‘It happened very quickly. At the time I had a broken ankle, and I had an orthopedic boot.

‘I believe I was targeted because I was visibly injured, and I could not have chased him or defended myself properly.’

‘It happened suddenly, aggressively and violently and it has stayed with me.

‘An attack in those circumstances made me feel exposed, unsafe and powerless.

‘Since the robbery I have not worn a watch outside my house.

‘I am not a wealthy person and I am not able to afford to replace it.

‘I feel I have lost something personal that mattered to me very much.’

‘I have lost much of the enjoyment I used to get from wearing watches.’

Sentencing Fremoule Judge David Richards said: ‘You saw the fact that he was immobile and snatched [the watch] from his arm.

‘You pulled it from his arm and you used enough force to get it from his arm.’

‘He couldn’t chase you. You found someone to buy the watch. You got £7,000 which you have since spent.’

The judge said that the public ‘shouldn’t be looking over their shoulder fearing someone like you.’

‘This sort of offence is so serious that no sentence other than immediate imprisonment can possibly be appropriate.’

Fremoule, of Cazenove Road, Walthamstow, east London, admitted robbery and handling stolen goods.

He was jailed for two years and eight months.
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