Amir Khan still 'doesn't feel safe' as thieves jailed for stealing £72k watch
Two robbers who stole a £72,000 diamond-encrusted watch from former world boxing champion Amir Khan were jailed today.
Khan, 36, was forced to hand over his Franck Muller Vanguard Chronograph after he left the Sahara Grill restaurant in Leyton, east London, with his wife Faryal.
Dante Campbell, 21, ran at Khan and yelled at him to "take off the watch" on 18 April last year, Snaresbrook Crown Court heard. Ahmed Bana, 26, was the driver of the silver Mercedes that dropped Campbell and another unknown suspect at the scene.
The pair both admitted conspiracy to rob and possession of an imitation firearm. Bana was jailed for nine years and eight months while Campbell was locked up for seven years and nine months.
The former world boxing champion with his wife Faryal (amirkingkhan/Instagram)
A police handout photo of the £72,000 timepiece stolen from Amir Khan (PA)Mr Khan said in an impact statement read out in court today: "This has seriously affected my life. I am very fearful of going out particularly in London.
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"I avoid coming back to London, which I find sad because it's where I grew up and spent my life. I am constantly looking over my shoulder. I am very wary of people, even fans and friendly people who approach. I was previously very friendly. I never said no to a fan who wanted to chat or take a photo."
Faryal Khan, 31, said in her victim impact statement that she now lives with her husband in Dubai.
"We do not feel safe in London, we do not feel safe coming back. I often take jewellery off and do not wear expensive clothes around London. I keep thinking that we could have been shot."
Judge Louise Kamill told the robbers: "It is clear that Mr Khan, who had only been in the country for a few days back from his home in Dubai, has been very shaken by the effects of this robbery.
"He has up until now always welcomed fans' attention and now feels he is unable to do so in this country. He felt, in his words, 'helpless', as the man had a gun.
CCTV played in court showed the moment of the robbery (PA)"He realises that he is a target and being a target was exactly the reason for this robbery. Though [the robbery] was not planned long in advance the planning was significant and relatively sophisticated. It involved others, it involved a car, it involved getting the gun and exchanging information with persons around the restaurant."
CCTV played in court shows the Bolton-born fighter smiling as he leaves the Sahara Grill with his wife. He crosses the road to get into a car driven by Mr Khalid.
Two men get out of a silver Mercedes coupe parked up in front as hooded Campbell runs towards Khan. Campbell then raises his right arm to point the gun at Mr Amir who hands over his watch.
Giving evidence during the trial, Khan told jurors he had spent the day shopping in Knightsbridge with Mr Khalid while his wife attended a photoshoot.
"[That evening] I spent about an hour in the restaurant. Everything seemed nice and calm, I was taking pictures with fans. Everything seemed cool."
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Mr Khan said he then left the restaurant with his wife.
"I put my hand on the door handle (of the car) and someone ran towards me and pushed me towards the car and I fell back on the car.
Dante Campbell, 21, was locked up for seven years and nine months (Met Police)
Ahmed Bana, 26, was jailed for nine years and eight months (Met Police)"Next thing I saw a gun being pointed at my face, it's the first time I've ever seen a gun in my face and obviously in the UK. I had to look away, when the gun was put to my face I literally saw down the barrel.
"I felt really scared. I have three kids, my wife is next to me as well. I was really scared. I didn't know what he wanted at first, then he said take off your watch. When he said "take off your watch" that's when he hit me straight away. I took it off straight away and that's when I handed it to him. I could see my wife screaming and crying."
Sebastian Gardiner, for Bana, said: "There is no suggestion that the robbery was planned in advance of Amir Khan arriving at the Sahara Grill. No one knew he would be there.
"The car had been hired long before Mr Khan arrived at the restaurant. It lasted a matter of seconds and no violence was actually used. He acknowledges the seriousness of the offence and is remorseful for it."
Andrew Cohen, defending Campbell, said: "He comes from a respectable family who are shocked that this is what he has become involved with. They still support him and many are here with him today."
Mr Cohen told the court that Campbell had trained as a plumber, but injured his leg and became depressed while unemployed.
"He got into debt and found himself doing things he did not want to do because of the nature of the people he was in debt to. He is deeply ashamed of having become involved in this.
"He is aware of the pain he caused the Khan family by virtue of what he was involved in and he says that he is deeply sorry. He realises he was wrong to get involved with this and accepts that he must pay a penalty. He is not someone who is a career criminal and is not particularly likely to appear before the court again."
Campbell, of Hornsey, and Bana, of Tottenham, admitted conspiracy to commit robbery and possession of an imitation firearm.
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