A billionaire Malaysian businessman has urged fellow travellers to avoid wearing expensive watches in London, after he was robbed in the street while returning from the theatre.
Vinod Sekhar, chairman and chief executive of the tech conglomerate Petra Group, revealed he was smothered and punched by a group of men after leaving a performance of Hamilton in Victoria, central London, and driving to his daughter Tara’s apartment, a short distance away near Battersea Power Station. The gang stole his luxury Richard Mille watch during the attack, which left him bruised.
Despite having a black belt in judo, Mr Sekhar, 57, was unable to fight back because of health reasons and medication. But he said his wife, Winny Yeap, behaved like a “lioness”, swinging her bag and shouting at the men in a “fearless and protective” way. He added that the muggers then fled on electric Lime bikes.
Metropolitan Police officers arrived within minutes. Mr Sekhar recounted how one officer told him he had been lucky, because “they would have stabbed you” if he had held on to his watch. He also praised the police for being professional and kind.
Djamel Benadda, 34, appeared in court this week and admitted the robbery, which took place in September. He disputed the value of the watch, saying it was a valueless imitation, rather than a £100,000 ($132,435) genuine article as prosecutors said. He will be sentenced at a later date.
London’s reputation has fallen owing to waves of street robberies, with "Rolex Rippers" stealing watches and other criminals using electric bikes to escape after grabbing phones from people as they pass.
Mr Sekhar, who is a friend of Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar bin Ibrahim, spoke about the attack on Facebook a few days after it took place. He said it was important to share his experience to help warn travellers.
“When you travel – to London or anywhere – be careful," he said. "Don’t wear expensive watches, carry flashy bags, or assume the streets are as safe as they look. 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. Be vigilant, be safe and be thankful for things that can’t be stolen.”
He suggested the attack could have happened to anyone. “In the eyes of crime, we are all equal opportunity targets," he added.
He described London and the UK as his second home, but said he was grateful to live in Kuala Lumpur because it is one of the safest, warmest and most vibrant cities in the world. Shortly before Mr Sekhar’s attack, Met Police said targeted operations had led to an 84 per cent drop in the number of robberies and thefts in Battersea and nearby Nine Elms in the previous three months.
As part of the UK Home Office’s Safer Streets summer initiative, phone snatching gang members have been arrested and raids carried out on properties linked to thefts.
One expert told The National that London needed a more visible approach to crime to beat its lawless image, even if it was undeserved. William Walter, managing director of Bridgehead Communications, said the city would benefit from the sort of "zero tolerance" approach enforced by Rudy Giuliani during his time as New York City's mayor in the 1990s.
Last year, the Met Police said about 80,000 mobile phones were stolen. The figure so far this year is 45,000.
Crime in the city even attracted the attention of US President Donald Trump, who used his state visit to Britain in September to renew his long-running feud with London Mayor Sadiq Khan. "I think he's done a terrible job. Crime in London is through the roof," Mr Trump said at the time.
In response, Mr Khan has gone on a PR offensive, releasing statistics showing homicides have dropped to a 22-year low and knife crime has also fallen. But while those serious crimes appear less common, the likelihood of becoming a victim of petty theft has risen. The fact mobile phones are so valuable, and are often carried by hand even when not being used, has made them easy targets for thieves.
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The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo
Power: 261hp at 5,500rpm
Torque: 405Nm at 1,750-3,500rpm
Transmission: 9-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 6.9L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh117,059
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THE APPRENTICE
Director: Ali Abbasi
Starring: Sebastian Stan, Maria Bakalova, Jeremy Strong
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The specs
Engine: 4.0-litre flat-six
Torque: 450Nm at 6,100rpm
Transmission: 7-speed PDK auto or 6-speed manual
Fuel economy, combined: 13.8L/100km
On sale: Available to order now
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Our legal columnist
Name: Yousef Al Bahar
Advocate at Al Bahar & Associate Advocates and Legal Consultants, established in 1994
Education: Mr Al Bahar was born in 1979 and graduated in 2008 from the Judicial Institute. He took after his father, who was one of the first Emirati lawyers
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Results
5pm: Reem Island – Conditions (PA) Dh80,000 (Turf) 1,600m; Winner: Farasah, Antonio Fresu (jockey), Musabah Al Muhairi
5.30pm: Sir Baniyas Island – Maiden (PA) Dh80,000 (T) 1,400m; Winner: SSR Ghazwan, Antonio Fresu, Ibrahim Al Hadhrami
6pm: Wathba Stallions Cup – Handicap (PA) Dh70,000 (T) 1,400m; Winner: Astral Del Sol, Sean Kirrane, Ibrahim Al Hadhrami
6.30pm: Al Maryah Island – Maiden (PA) Dh80,000 (T) 2,200m; Winner: Toumadher, Dane O’Neill, Jaber Bittar
7pm: Yas Island – Handicap (PA) Dh80,000 (T) 2,200m; Winner: AF Mukhrej, Tadhg O’Shea, Ernst Oertel
7.30pm: Saadiyat Island – Handicap (TB) Dh80,000 (T) 2,400m; Winner: Celestial Spheres, Gary Sanchez, Ismail Mohammed
What sanctions would be reimposed?
Under ‘snapback’, measures imposed on Iran by the UN Security Council in six resolutions would be restored, including:
- An arms embargo
- A ban on uranium enrichment and reprocessing
- A ban on launches and other activities with ballistic missiles capable of delivering nuclear weapons, as well as ballistic missile technology transfer and technical assistance
- A targeted global asset freeze and travel ban on Iranian individuals and entities
- Authorisation for countries to inspect Iran Air Cargo and Islamic Republic of Iran Shipping Lines cargoes for banned goods
How to wear a kandura
Dos
- Wear the right fabric for the right season and occasion
- Always ask for the dress code if you don’t know
- Wear a white kandura, white ghutra / shemagh (headwear) and black shoes for work
- Wear 100 per cent cotton under the kandura as most fabrics are polyester
Don’ts
- Wear hamdania for work, always wear a ghutra and agal
- Buy a kandura only based on how it feels; ask questions about the fabric and understand what you are buying
Who's who in Yemen conflict
Houthis: Iran-backed rebels who occupy Sanaa and run unrecognised government
Yemeni government: Exiled government in Aden led by eight-member Presidential Leadership Council
Southern Transitional Council: Faction in Yemeni government that seeks autonomy for the south
Habrish 'rebels': Tribal-backed forces feuding with STC over control of oil in government territory
Moon Music
Artist: Coldplay
Label: Parlophone/Atlantic
Number of tracks: 10
Rating: 3/5
How to apply for a drone permit
- Individuals must register on UAE Drone app or website using their UAE Pass
- Add all their personal details, including name, nationality, passport number, Emiratis ID, email and phone number
- Upload the training certificate from a centre accredited by the GCAA
- Submit their request
What are the regulations?
- Fly it within visual line of sight
- Never over populated areas
- Ensure maximum flying height of 400 feet (122 metres) above ground level is not crossed
- Users must avoid flying over restricted areas listed on the UAE Drone app
- Only fly the drone during the day, and never at night
- Should have a live feed of the drone flight
- Drones must weigh 5 kg or less
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Juliot Vinolia’s checklist for adopting alternate-day fasting
- Don’t do it more than once in three days
- Don’t go under 700 calories on fasting days
- Ensure there is sufficient water intake, as the body can go in dehydration mode
- Ensure there is enough roughage (fibre) in the food on fasting days as well
- Do not binge on processed or fatty foods on non-fasting days
- Complement fasting with plant-based foods, fruits, vegetables, seafood. Cut out processed meats and processed carbohydrates
- Manage your sleep
- People with existing gastric or mental health issues should avoid fasting
- Do not fast for prolonged periods without supervision by a qualified expert
Results
Female 49kg: Mayssa Bastos (BRA) bt Thamires Aquino (BRA); points 0-0 (advantage points points 1-0).
Female 55kg: Bianca Basilio (BRA) bt Amal Amjahid (BEL); points 4-2.
Female 62kg: Beatriz Mesquita (BRA) v Ffion Davies (GBR); 10-2.
Female 70kg: Thamara Silva (BRA) bt Alessandra Moss (AUS); submission.
Female 90kg: Gabreili Passanha (BRA) bt Claire-France Thevenon (FRA); submission.
Male 56kg: Hiago George (BRA) bt Carlos Alberto da Silva (BRA); 2-2 (2-0)
Male 62kg: Gabriel de Sousa (BRA) bt Joao Miyao (BRA); 2-2 (2-1)
Male 69kg: Paulo Miyao (BRA) bt Isaac Doederlein (USA); 2-2 (2-2) Ref decision.
Male 77kg: Tommy Langarkar (NOR) by Oliver Lovell (GBR); submission.
Male 85kg: Rudson Mateus Teles (BRA) bt Faisal Al Ketbi (UAE); 2-2 (1-1) Ref decision.
Male 94kg: Kaynan Duarte (BRA) bt Adam Wardzinski (POL); submission.
Male 110kg: Joao Rocha (BRA) bt Yahia Mansoor Al Hammadi (UAE); submission.
