Wasiu Smith, a 26-year-old Nigerian-born immigrant holding a Dutch passport, has been sentenced to five years in prison in the United Kingdom for a series of robberies committed near Farringdon Tube station on November 4, 2025. Smith, who has lived in the UK since 2019 after initially settling in Shropshire and later relocating to Walsall, stole multiple phones, a work laptop, and an heirloom opal ring valued at £600 during four separate attacks on the same day.
Robbery spree details
Prosecutor Adrian Yallan told Snaresbrook Crown Court that Smith’s first victim was Alex Belsham-Harris, head of Energy Consumer Markets at the charity Citizens Advice. Belsham-Harris had just left the gym when Smith, with a scarf pulled over his face, lunged at him and delivered several blows behind his ear, stealing a bag containing his work laptop. After the attack, the victim was dizzy and could barely stand, seeking refuge in a nearby Tesco.
Smith’s second victim, Bonny Wambulu, was standing outside his office on Farringdon Road when Smith ran towards him at speed, shouting “give me money” and acting as though he was concealing a weapon in his pocket. Panicked, Wambulu raised his hands and said he had no money.
Heirloom ring stolen
The third victim, Alexander Burgess, had just had an opal ring repaired at a jeweller’s and was walking towards Farringdon station. Smith spotted the ring, made frantic gestures, and threatened to punch Burgess while again feigning a concealed weapon. Burgess handed over the ring, and Smith threatened to punch him again, telling him to “go away.”
The fourth victim was Michael Evesque, a managing director of lighting company Bert Frank, who was walking to his office on Farringdon Road. Smith stood in the middle of the pavement with arms and legs outstretched to block passersby, the court heard.
Arrest and sentencing
Police later apprehended Smith on a bus with the stolen property and a wrap of crack cocaine. In questioning, Smith claimed the opal ring and stolen rucksack were his, that he had been attacked by unknown individuals, and that the drugs were planted. However, Judge Charles Falk dismissed these claims, noting that Smith “had no insight and no remorse” and carried out the offences “to obtain crack cocaine.”
Smith’s barrister, Katie Knafler, suggested there might be an innocent explanation for why Smith kept one hand in his pocket during the attacks, saying “it might have been cold.” Judge Falk rejected this, stating that people do not rob their victims with one hand in their pocket.
Sentence and impact
Judge Falk sentenced Smith to five years in prison for three counts of robbery, one count of attempted robbery, one count of common assault, and one count of possessing a Class A drug. Smith claimed he had travelled from Canary Wharf to see the Christmas lights, despite them not yet being switched on. The case highlights the severity of street robberies and the consequences for offenders, particularly those with no apparent remorse for their actions.
