Courts / Louth / Report

Robber who snatched designer watches worth up to €47k drops appeal after warning

Date
2024-02-16

Stage
Appeal

Primary locality
Dundalk

County
Louth

Summary

Hamid Zatout, aged 26, had been sentenced to six and a half years for a series of robberies in which he snatched designer watches from vulnerable victims, some worth up to €47,000. The Court of Appeal, after reviewing the evidence of multiple robberies and an attempted robbery, warned his lawyers that an appeal could result in a higher sentence. Following a discussion with the court's president, Mr Justice George Birmingham, Zatout's lawyers withdrew the appeal, citing the court's willingness to increase the sentence if an error was found. The court noted that the offence was very serious and that the sentencing judge had considered a "double figures" sentence. Zatout had pleaded guilty to four robbery charges, one assault causing harm, and one attempted robbery, and had been living in a hotel in Dundalk at the time of his arrest. The case involved extensive CCTV evidence and the involvement of accomplices who followed victims before the robberies.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Robber who snatched designer watches worth up to €47k drops appeal after warning. Charges or matters: four charges of robbery, one of assault causing harm and one of attempted robbery on dates in July and August 2019. Procedural stage: appeal

When: