Two muggers who used drug-laced cigarattes to knock out wealthy victims and steal watches jailed

Two robbers who used drug-addicted cigarettes to knock out their wealthy victims before taking away valuable watches have been jailed.

Tom Allen and Seyamack Ghlae, both 32, have captured a £52,000 Patek Phillipe Aquanaut and two luxury Rolexes worth a total of £38,000 during their month-long crime spree across London.

The drugs used were so powerful that one victim in Canada required stem cell therapy to recover from the after-effects, Southwark Crown Court heard.

The man, Aiden Lee, was “mentally shaken” after being robbed by Allen and Ghlae on October 9, 2021.

They targeted him while he was on Grafton Street, in London’s posh Mayfair district, offering him a rolled cigarette that was loaded with drugs.

“He took two puffs and felt high almost immediately,” prosecutor Lucy McGarr said.

Mr. Lee then began to complain that he was not feeling well and collapsed on the floor.

“He was surrounded by a group of men, including both defendants.”

A friend of the victim asked Allen to call the police. But the robber brushed off the plea and said, “Come on man, it’s fine, it’s just a Californian.”

Mr Lee later noticed that his £52,000 Patek Phillipe Aquenat watch was missing from his wrist.

“Mr. Lee has no recollection of the incident,” the prosecutor added.

In a victim impact statement, Mr Lee said: ‘Being a victim of such a crime in London left me mentally shaken as I thought it was a safe city.

“The way I look at London has completely changed and I am considering moving to another city next year.”

Mr. Lee said he had to take a three-week vacation in the Dominican Republic to recover and had to undergo stem cell therapy in Canada because he was suffering from lethargy.

‘I had stem cell therapy in Canada because I was constantly lethargic.’

Previously, the crooks had robbed James Morphew after he attended an East London music festival on September 5 last year and tried to find a taxi.

“Two men started walking with him,” Mrs. McGarr said.

Mr. Allen then began following Mr. Morphew.

“Obviously Mr. Allen is on the lookout so the robbery can take place.”

Mr. Morphew was held in a strangling position and pulled to the ground. His £31,000 Rolex watch, bought from Harrods, was then snatched from his wrist by the robbers, who were accompanied by a third unknown man.

“Once the watch was taken, Allen ran over to them and all three men ran toward the main road.”

Mr Morphew said in his police statement to police: ‘I was suddenly grabbed in a choke hold and pulled back so that I fell to the ground.

“I felt myself pass out within seconds.

“I woke up and noticed my watch was gone.

“The incident has given me less confidence than before.”

Liam Springer was robbed on 19 September in Jermyn Street, St James’s, after the defendants asked him if he wanted to go to a party.

“They offered him a rolled cigarette,” Ms McGarr said.

“He remembers suddenly becoming unsteady on his feet.

“Within moments, Mr. Springer had passed out on the floor.”

He was later awakened by his friend, the court heard.

“It wasn’t until Mr. Springer awoke the next morning that he noticed his Rolex watch (worth £7,300) was missing from his wrist.”

The judge, Mr Recorder Nigel Sangster, imprisoned Allen and Ghlae for six years and eleven months each, saying: ‘It is clear that both of you are professional watch thieves prepared to use violence and dangerous tactics.

“I accept that you both feel remorse and shame.

“I accept that both of you have used your time on remand in prison to try and improve yourself.”

Allen, of Richmond-upon-Thames, and Ghlae, of Ealing, admitted one count of robbery and two of unlawfully administering an intoxicating or overpowering drug with a felony, namely robbery.

Allen appeared in court wearing a light blue shirt, while Ghlae wore a gray long-sleeved top.