Rickshaw riders restrain Rolex robber

A gang of rickshaw drivers caught a mugger after he swiped a £12,000 Rolex from a drinker outside a pub, a court heard.

Yonis Hussein, 22, stole a Rolex GMT Master from Matthew Peston who was out drinking on Soho’s Frith Street on 20 June 2019.

Hussein caught sight of the watch on Mr Peston’s wrist after offering him cannabis, then asking him for the time.

A group of rickshaw drivers then chased the fleeing Hussein through the Soho streets and pointed him out to police.

Hussein still had the timepiece, which was a birthday gift to Mr Peston.

‘Mr Preston was approached while drinking outside a pub and asked ‘do you want to buy cannabis?

‘He then asked what time it was, the victim pulled out his watch and felt nervous.

‘In a very silly way he took out his watch and put it in his pocket and Mr Hussain put his hand in the jacket and took it.

‘Pedalo drivers or taxis actually chased Mr Hussein.’

Hussein, of Wesley Close, Harrow, admitted one count of robbery and was bailed on condition he reside at home between 12pm and 7am.

He will be sentenced on 8 June.