A thug who robbed a man of an expensive watch after he saw it advertised on a website has been jailed for four years.

Young Badmus travelled to Chatham after agreeing to buy Marcus Simmons’ Rolex for £5,000.

The 22-year-old pulled out a knife and snatched the watch, but Mr Simmons fought back and ended up being arrested himself for using excessive force.

He told Maidstone Crown Court he spent 16 hours in a police cell before being cautioned. Badmus denied robbery and possessing a knife, but was convicted.

Mr Simmons said he bought the watch in May 2011 for £4,950. He decided to sell it on Gumtree.

He received a call on June 7 this year from a man who said he was interested in buying the watch. After several more calls they agreed to meet and Mr Simmons gave the man his address. Badmus arrived in the evening two days later and asked to see the watch.

“We got into my car outside the house,” said Mr Simmons. “He said: ‘Is it real?’ I said: ‘If you are not happy we’ll go to a jewellers. He kept looking at it and trying it on.”

"You move and you will get it. If you follow me I will stab you..." - Young Badmus

Badmus asked Mr Simmons if he would take £4,900, but he refused. “He said he would take a chance and take it,” said Mr Simmons.

“I gave him my bank account details. The watch was on the dashboard.

“The next thing he pulled out a knife about 10in long. He said: ‘You move and you will get it. If you follow me I will stab you.’

“He snatched the watch from the dash and got out of the car. I thought he was not going to get away with it, and jumped out of the car.

“He said he would stab me if I went any closer. I was very annoyed.”

Mr Simmons said his nephew arrived and they cornered Badmus. There was a “tussle” and Mr Simmons grabbed the car keys.

The police arrived and Badmus, of Renfrew Close, East Ham, London, was arrested.

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