F1 racing star mugged for his £144,000 watch after Wembley final
FORMULA One star Lando Norris was mugged for his £144,000 bespoke watch while walking to his McClaren sports car at Wembley stadium, a court heard.
The racing driver described the horrifying moment an attacker put him in a chokehold while his accomplice ripped the Richard Mille timepiece from his wrist.
Liam Williams, 25, is accused of robbing Norris at the stadium’s VIP car park after the England-Italy final of the delayed Euro 2020 tournament played on July 11, 2021.
Jurors were told that Williams’ DNA was found on his victim’s scratched wrist after the attack. The Richard Mille prototype RM67-02 was one of only five created and its unique blue strap was specifically made to measure for Norris’s wrist, Tyrone Silcott, prosecuting, said.
‘There is no official retail price because it has never been available for sale but the manufacturers say this McClaren edition would retail at about £144,000 plus VAT,’ he added.
In a statement read to Harrow Crown Court, 23-year- old Norris said he had driven to Wembley from the Goodwood Festival of Speed in his orange £165,000 McClaren GT.
He said he returned to the car park after the match, which England lost on penalties, and saw two men walking around the supercar.
Norris, who races for McLaren, added: ‘ Suspect one slowly approached me and... asked, “Is this your car?” He then went behind me and wrapped his right arm around my neck.
‘He pulled me back by the neck meaning I was facing the sky and away from him. He might have used his knee too, I’m not sure.
‘At this point, suspect one told suspect two to grab my watch.’
Mr Silcott said the attack was on CCTV but the camera was too far away to identify the suspects.
Williams, from Liverpool, was arrested a few days later and gave a ‘no comment’ interview to police. He denies robbery.
Norris was shown images of Williams but was unable to identify him as one of his attackers.
Mr Silcott said analysis of Williams’ phone showed he travelled from Liverpool to Wembley on July 11. He alleged there was ‘clear evidence the defendant came down that day and robbed Lando Norris. There is no other credible explanation as to why his DNA was on that scratched wrist’. The trial continues.
‘Wrapped his arm around my neck’