Man jailed for watch robbery – Southampton

A man has been jailed for 30 months after robbing a man of his luxury watch at Southampton Airport Parkway railway station in April.

Wassim Zenil, 28, and of Haseley Road in Birmingham, pleaded guilty to one count of robbery at Southampton Crown Court on 10 October, and was sentenced to two years and sixth months imprisonment at the same court on 16 December.

The court heard how Zenil robbed a man of his watch worth £3000 by pulling it off of his wrist, breaking the strap, on a train travelling into Southampton Airport Parkway railway station.

The victim called out for help and an off-duty City of London police officer responded, getting the train held at the station and taking down information on Zenil from the victim.

The officer and victim walked through the train to find Zenil, when the victim spotted a locked toilet and asked nearby passengers who had gone inside. The officer knocked on the door, and Zenil opened it.

Zenil was detained by the off-duty officer and arrested on suspicion of robbery after the watch was found on him but began to resist, injuring the officer. A member of the public assisted the officer in restraining Zenil and was bit on the hand. Officers then arrived and took Zenil into custody.

Investigating Officer DC Ryan Smith said: “I want to thank the off-duty officer and the members of the public who assisted in the capture of Zenil, helping to take one more violent criminal off of the network.

“Zenil acted violently and with cruelty, targeting a lone passenger for his own gain and I am extremely pleased with the sentence handed down.

“Tackling robbery on the network is a force priority, and if you witness something suspicious or unusual report it to us by texting 61016.

“If a robbery has just happened, always dial 999 – officers can immediately deploy to a location and begin immediate enquiries to trace offenders.”