Former England football star Gary Mabbutt said he

Former England football star Gary Mabbutt said he initially thought a the Rolex raider who stole his pnd stlg 10,000 watch was a football fan.

The former Bristol Rovers star and Spurs captain was expected to give evidence at Damien Burke’s trial until the 19-year-old dramatically admitted the
crime today.

(Weds)

Mabbutt was sitting in his convertible Mercedes stuck in a traffic jam in Shepherds Bush, west London when Burke climbed onto a passenger seat.

‘I didn’t feel threatened at first.

I thought it might be a Spurs fan,’ Bristol born Mabbutt said.

‘But then he ripped the door open, dived in and went straight for the Rolex.

‘

Mabbutt tried to guard the gold Rolex by shoving his hand behind a seat.

But then another robber appeared at Mabbutt’s door.

Thinking he was about to be attacked Mabbutt floored the accelerator when he spotted a gap in traffic, leaving the second man stranded in the road.

He tried to shake off Burke, who was crouching in his car by slamming on the brakes but the robber grabbed the watch and fled.

‘I thought it’s a very nice watch, and a very expensive watch, but it was not worth getting cut up for it,’ Mabbutt said.

Mabbutt, who was on his way to commentate on the Valencia v Manchester United Champion’s League game, said that he now always locks his door in
traffic, and wears a cheap watch.

The stolen Rolex has never been recovered.

Mabbutt bought it with a pnd stlg 10,000 bonus given to the Spurs team after winning the FA Cup in 1991.

Judge John Samuels, QC, granted father of one Burke
bail on condition he report each day at Shepherds
Bush police station.

Burke of (40a) Fitzneal St, East Acton, also has to observe a curfew between 10.

30pm and 7.

00am each day.

Judge Samuels told Burke to expect jail when he returns to be sentenced on 28 August.

ends

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