This is the moment a Romanian confidence trickster pretends to be a heartbroken lover before stealing a clubber’s £11,000 Rolex watch.
In the footage good samaritan Mateusz Matlin can be seen consoling Constantin Iosif who was pretending to be devastated at the break up with his girlfriend.
But during their embrace when Mr Maitlin gave sobbing Iosif a hug, the thief whips the expensive watch – a 21st birthday present – from his wrist.
As Iosif ran off he was rugby tackled by a member of the public and he was arrested.
At the police station, the Rolex watch was found inside his shoe.
He was bailed, but failed to turn up for his plea hearing before being re-arrested and appeared before the court again on March 4.
Charlotte Haime, prosecuting, said: ‘The defendant used what was effectively a ruse by telling the victim that he had just broken up with his girlfriend.
‘We can see that he shakes the victim’s hand. There are some pulling back and forth motions. It looks like the defendant is trying to hug the victim.
This is the moment a Romanian confidence trickster pretends to be a heartbroken lover before stealing a clubber’s £11,000 Rolex watch
‘During the ploy he is able to steal the victim’s Rolex watch from his wrist.
‘Mr Matlin describes feeling very silly and very upset about the incident.’
‘It is clear that some force was used, the victim was targeted for his perceived vulnerability.’
In mitigation for Iosif – who has eight convictions for 18 offences, including seven for theft – his lawyer Rachel Pain said he is now studying at the London College of Contemporary Arts.
She said: ‘Since 2023 he has turned his life around. He is studying business part time at university. He has been on that course for nine months now.’
She explained that he had spent time in Romania to deal with depression.
‘He turned his life around and re-committed to religion. He stopped using drugs. He has been doing a maths course while in custody.’
Referring to a pre-sentence report Ms Pain said: ‘He appears deeply ashamed of his behaviour. He is sad and regrets that he committed this offence.’
Sentencing Iosif, Judge Martin Griffith said: ‘This is one of the strangest cases I have had before me for quite some time.’
‘People like you are not entitled to lift watches, which was no doubt to help pay for your spice or whatever you were taking.’
‘It is so fortunate for you that a member of the public saw what you were doing and rugby tackled you so that you did not take his valuable watch.’
‘The Rolex watch was recovered. It was a twenty-first birthday present. It is not a good idea to take that from somebody.’
Iosif, of Enfield, north London, admitted one count of robbery and one count of failing to surrender.
He was given a 20 month prison sentence suspended for two years.
He will also have to complete 15 days of a rehabilitation activity requirement and 100 hours of unpaid work.
