In a brazen broad-daylight robbery, a visitor to Oxford was attacked and robbed of a luxury watch valued at about £130,000. The incident occurred around 1:40pm on 14 May 2022 outside St Aldate’s Church in the city centre.
The victim, a man in his 30s, was sitting on a bench when a group of four men who had covertly followed him. Two of the men asked if the church was open; when the visitor replied that he didn’t know, they suddenly covered his mouth and pushed him backwards off the bench, snatching the high-end Richard Mille watch from his wrist before fleeing. The victim was shocked but not seriously hurt in the encounter.
The robbery was clearly targeted – the Richard Mille timepiece stolen is a Swiss luxury watch brand known for six-figure price tags. Detectives characterized the crime as a “calculated and organised” attack carried out in a busy public area.
According to Thames Valley Police, the offenders struck without warning or threat, using swift violence to subdue the victim and grab the expensive watch.
Investigators soon released CCTV images of four men running near the scene and appealed to the public for information to help identify the culprits. Officers emphasized that the robbery took place in broad daylight on a bustling city street, underlining the criminals’ boldness.
Investigation and Identification
Police launched a major investigation following the robbery, treating it as a high-priority case given the value of the stolen item and the coordinated nature of the attack. Detectives believed the theft was planned in advance – the perpetrators may have identified the victim’s watch earlier and trailed him to the relatively quiet spot by the church.
The CCTV footage released showed four individuals fleeing the area, two of whom had baseball caps on, and all dressed in casual jackets and jeans.
These images were circulated widely in an effort to track down the suspects. “I would like to appeal to anybody who recognises the men in these images to please get in touch,” Detective Constable Charles Smith said at the time, underscoring that the gang appeared adept at targeting high-value watches. Tips from the public and extensive police work eventually led to the identification of two suspects involved in the robbery.
Convictions and Sentencing
Eighteen months after the crime, two men have now been brought to justice for the £130k watch heist. Walid Sadaoui, 29, of Hackney in London, denied involvement but was found guilty of robbery in a trial at Oxford Crown Court in September 2025. He was sentenced on 8 November 2025 to five years in prison for his role in the attack
The second man, Reit Nicholas, 34, had earlier pleaded guilty to the Oxford watch robbery as well as to two other offences (another robbery and a theft) in a separate proceeding. Nicholas was handed a significantly longer sentence (10 years in prison ) at Southwark Crown Court on 14 October 2025. The disparity in sentences reflects Nicholas’s admission to multiple crimes in addition to the Oxford incident.
According to prosecutors, both men were part of the group that orchestrated the “planned, targeted” mugging of the tourist for his valuable timepiece. Police had initially sought four suspects, but to date Sadaoui and Nicholas are the only individuals convicted in connection with the case.
It remains unclear whether the remaining two members of the gang have been identified or arrested. Thames Valley Police have not announced any further arrests, and the expensive Richard Mille watch itself has not been publicly reported as recovered.
High-Value Watches as Targets for Crime
This case highlights a broader trend of thieves targeting people wearing high-end luxury watches. The stolen watch was a Richard Mille, a brand whose models often sell for six-figure sums, in this instance valued at £130,000.
Such conspicuously expensive accessories can draw the attention of organized criminal groups. In fact, law enforcement officials warn that criminal gangs sometimes scout for victims in upscale areas, looking for jewellery or watches that can quickly be snatched and resold.
In London, for example, “spotters” have been known to linger outside high-end restaurants to identify people wearing costly timepieces or jewellery. Police data in 2025 showed that, on average, four luxury watches were being reported stolen every day in the capital, indicating the scale of the problem.
Authorities advise owners of luxury watches to remain vigilant. High-value timepieces not only carry significant monetary worth but are easy for robbers to seize from a wrist in seconds. In recent years, several high-profile watch thefts have made headlines – from muggings of tourists and celebrities to “smash-and-grab” robberies at jewellery boutiques. Many insurers even hesitate to cover pricey watches worn openly in public due to the elevated theft risk.
In the Oxford case, the victim was simply sightseeing when he was targeted. Luckily, he escaped serious injury, but the incident serves as a cautionary tale about conspicuous valuables. Police have reiterated the importance of discretion when displaying expensive items and encourage anyone who recognizes stolen goods (such as a rare luxury watch offered for resale) or suspicious activity to report it.
Community Response
The robbery and subsequent convictions have garnered significant attention in Oxford and beyond. St Aldate’s Church, located in the heart of Oxford, is a popular area for visitors – the fact that criminals struck in such a central, normally safe location was unsettling for residents. Local authorities have sought to reassure the public that organized robbery crews are being aggressively pursued.
The successful prosecution of Sadaoui and Nicholas was praised by police, who noted that cooperation between Thames Valley Police and metropolitan forces helped track down the suspects.
While two of the perpetrators are now behind bars, investigators continue to appeal for any information that might lead to the remaining accomplices. They urge anyone with knowledge of the planning of this crime or the whereabouts of the stolen Richard Mille watch to come forward. Community leaders in Oxford have also emphasized the need for vigilance: residents and tourists alike are reminded to be mindful of displaying expensive belongings in public.
This case, though alarming, demonstrates the effectiveness of CCTV evidence and public tips in solving such crimes. It stands as a stark reminder that even in broad daylight, an opportunistic thief can strike suddenly, but with determined police work and community support, justice can ultimately be served.
