A billionaire Malaysian businessman has described the moment he was “rushed” by London robbers on Lime bikes who snatched his luxury watch from his wrist.
Vinod Sekhar, 57, was ambushed by two men as he got out of his car near to his daughter’s home in Battersea, southwest London, with the thieves targeting his luxury Richard Mille timepiece.
The tycoon says he was “smothered”, struck on the chest and thighs, and left bloodied and bruised in the mugging which happened on September 27.
And he praised his “lioness” wife Winy who swung bags at the thieves in a bid to fend them off.
At Kingston crown court last week, 34-year-old Djamel Benadda pleaded guilty to the robbery, as well as stealing a wallet last November and handing stolen cash and watches.
He disputes the value of Mr Sekhar’s watch, which prosecutors say was worth £100,000, and is due to be sentenced at a later date.
The case emerged after Bridgerton actress Genevieve Chenneour revealed how she had been attacked near to Oxford Circus, just a few months after she was targeted by a phone thief in a London café.
Mr Sekhar posted about his experience on Facebook, saying the robbery happened after he and his family enjoyed a day out in Oxford and a showing of the hit musical Hamilton.
“Last Saturday night in London, I was reminded how fragile security can be — and how precious life truly is”, he wrote.
“After a beautiful day with my family in Oxford and an evening watching Hamilton, we drove back to my daughter Tara’s apartment near Battersea Power Station. It had been one of those rare English days — sunny, warm, full of laughter and music. London and the UK generally is our family's second home.
“But as I parked and stepped out of the car, two men suddenly appeared. They rushed at me, smothered me, hit me a few times on the chest and thighs, and tore the watch off my wrist.
“I tried to hold on but couldn’t — my post-transplant medication and health simply didn’t allow it.
“And then, like the lioness she’s always been, my wife jumped in — swinging her bag, shouting at them, fearless and protective. In that moment, the muggers fled on electric Lime bikes.
“I was bruised, bleeding lightly (thanks to the blood thinners it looked worse than it was), but relatively unscathed.”
Mr Sekhar praised Met Police officers who were on the scene “within minutes”, and said one officer told him: “You were lucky. If you’d held on, they would have stabbed you.”
He told readers he decided to post about the incident after reflecting that stories of muggings can often feel like they only happen to someone else.
“When you travel — to London or anywhere — be careful. Don’t wear expensive watches, carry flashy bags, or assume the streets are as safe as they look”, he continued.
“And if something like this happens to you, let it go. A watch, a wallet, a phone — these are replaceable. Your life, your loved ones, your friends are not.
“In that moment, none of the things mattered. Only the people around me did. My wife’s courage. My daughter’s composure. The kindness of strangers.
“We often talk about equality in terms of privilege or race. But here’s a truth few like to admit: in the eyes of crime, we are all equal opportunity targets.
“And as I reflect on it all, I am deeply grateful for the city I call home — Kuala Lumpur. For all our noise, our chaos, and our politics, it remains one of the safest, warmest, most vibrant cities in the world. A place where kindness still outweighs cruelty, and where, despite our imperfections, we remain a nation of extraordinary people.
“Be vigilant. Be safe. And be thankful — every single day — for the things that can’t be stolen.”
Benadda, of Strasburg Road, Wandsworth, was remanded in custody by Judge Simon Heptonstall until a further hearing on December 15.
If the dispute over the value of the watch continues, he may not be sentenced until the new year.
The theft comes amid fears around the number of luxury watches being stolen on the streets of London and a number of high-profile muggings.
The theft of an American businesman’s luxury watch in Mayfair last month was captured in shocking footage.
While dramatic CCTV showed an illegal migrant targeting a Tim Hortons boss for his £65,000 Patek Philippe watch in the same neighbourhood.
While a top Mayfair jeweller warned London is too dangerous a place to flaunt a Rolex watch over fears of robbery and violence.
