An accused thief has been cleared of robbing Method 1 star Lando Norris of his unique £144,000 designer enjoy at the Euro 2020 last.
The McLaren driver, 23, was held in a headlock by an unknown gentleman while the Richard Mille timepiece – 1 of only 5 in the world – was wrenched from his wrist by an additional mugger.
He was targeted as he walked to his sporting activities vehicle right after England’s heart breaking defeat to Italy on penalties.
Liam Williams, 25, from Bootle, Merseyside, was explained to have snatched the enjoy leaving his DNA on the racing driver’s arm.
Williams claimed he travelled to London with three close friends that day, hoping to ‘bunk in’ to Wembley to view the Euro closing as they experienced no tickets.
Liam Williams, pictured outside Harrow Crown Courtroom, was nowadays cleared of thieving a £144,000 designer look at from Formulation A single star Lando Norris outside Wembley Stadium
Lando Norris, pictured, was sporting a specially commissioned time piece by Richard Mille when he was accosted outside the house Wembley Stadium subsequent the Euro 2020 closing by two adult men. One particular held him in a headlock, whilst the second stole the view, pictured
He could offer you no explanation for why his DNA was identified on the racing driver’s remaining wrist.
Williams was also not able to give law enforcement speak to particulars for the a few men he travelled with from Liverpool to London and claimed he no for a longer time spoke to them.
He denied and was cleared of robbery immediately after a week-lengthy trial.
The look at identified as the RM6702, was the only one particular in the world with a blue strap created to measure for the driver’s wrist, Harrow Crown Court docket read.
Inspite of in no way becoming produced out there for sale, the designer estimates the worth to be close to £144,000.
Mr Norris was robbed in the yellow VIP car park at Wembley Stadium right after the closing.
Williams explained he attended a party soon after the last when 1 of the adult males he travelled to London warned him not to speak about the stolen view.
‘Basically, at the occasion with the lads from London I was on the balcony, and I was on a online video call on Instagram speaking about the match with a good friend from home and these lads obtaining a check out and blah blah blah and a single of the lads read me and it got a bit heated.
‘They were expressing “why had been you speaking about the watch”… I don’t know if they thought I was placing them up.’
Prosecutor Tyrone Silcott claimed: ‘So, you’re expressing at the celebration you had been on Instagram, and you were being telling another person about finding the watch?’
Williams replied: ‘Yeah, I was just video clip contacting a mate speaking about the footy and we bought on to the view and anyone overheard me speaking about it and an argument happened.
‘Then on the Tuesday I could see all these telephone phone calls I experienced a number ringing me in the night and at this level I didn’t know who it was but as they had been conversing to me.
Williams, of Bootle, Merseyside, denied robbery and was found not responsible by a jury soon after just less than two hours of deliberation (Pictured: Lando Norris)
‘It was the same lad I had the argument with he was just declaring “don’t mention anything about the watch” to “keep my mouth shut and say no more”.
‘He held arguing with me down the cellphone and up coming day he did the similar factor and just basically threatening me and at this place I thought I’m likely to have to alter my telephone number.
‘And when I got arrested, I transformed my telephone number… I was a bit frightened I was receiving threats and things,’ said Williams.
‘They have been threatening me, and they stated they understood my name… I was just frightened if an individual is going to threaten you, you are heading to alter it aren’t you?’
Williams, of Bootle, Merseyside, denied theft and was located not guilty by a jury following just below two hours of deliberation.