BBC Breakfast star Ben Thompson was targeted by a gang of six men in London for his £7,000 Rolex.

BBC Breakfast star Ben Thompson and Sally Nugent

BBC Breakfast star Ben Thompson and Sally Nugent (Image: BBC)

BBC Breakfast presenter Ben Thompson has admitted he no longer feels safe in the nation’s capital after having his Rolex ripped from his wrist in a vicious attack. The 45-year-old and a friend were targeted for their expensive watches by a gang when they were leaving a Mayfair restaurant on March 11 last year. According to reports, the £7,000 watch was a gift from his partner, Andy Roche, to celebrate his 40th birthday and had been custom-engraved. Three gang members then grabbed Thompson before they fled the scene. The BBC presenter now has a scar on his wrist from the assault, and he said in his victim impact statement how he’s suffered flashbacks and anxiety since the attack.

BBC Breakfast star Ben Thompson, 45, was robbed in London

BBC Breakfast star Ben Thompson, 45, was robbed in London (Image: BBC)

 

Thompson’s friend, Roja Dove, had his diamond-encrusted £150,000 watch stolen in the mugging. The luxury perfumer was thrown to the ground by the thugs before his prized Patek Philippe was taken.

Two of the assailants, who were identified through CCTV, were sentenced at London’s Old Bailey this week.

Thompson said in his victim impact statement: “After this attack, my behaviour has changed – I no longer feel safe in London. I am nervous and jumpy when I hear a jogger or cyclist approaching behind me.”

Dove said in his victim statement: “I have worked hard for everything I have. The watch was a present to myself when I turned 65. The theft of the watch has meant all my hard work has been pointless.”

He added: “When I walk through the streets of central London, I feel like I am on high alert and I am very nervous. I feel very unsafe in London, a city I have loved my entire life.”

Defendant Danis Tom-Deter, 36, admitted the offences and was sentenced to two years and three months in prison.

 

The other defendant, Hocine Boulanouar, 26, denied his two charges of robbery and was given four years and three months in prison.

The police have not identified the other four men involved in the attack.