The 45-year-old victim tragically lost an eye as a result of the assault and the impact on his personal and professional life has been devastating.
After committing the robbery, Abdul Ismail, one of the three men convicted, filmed himself with the watch and posted photographs on Snapchat.
The images were found on his mobile phone when he was arrested.
Officer in the case, Detective Constable Eleri Powell, from South Wales Police, said:
“CCTV captured the moment Thierno Dilallo, Abdul Ismail, and Mubarak Yusuef, lured the victim into Louisa Place, Cardiff Bay, while he was on a night out in May 2022.
“The victim was vulnerable through alcohol, and we believe they targeted him because of his watch which they probably thought was a genuine Rolex.
“He was attacked with a glass bottle and despite the best efforts of medical professionals, tragically his eye could not be saved and had to be surgically removed.”
A local resident raised the alarm after finding the victim injured and helped reunite him his friends before reporting it to police.
An investigation was launched, and detectives began an extensive search of CCTV.
It was PCSOs working in Cardiff Bay who recognised Thierno Dilallo, 20, Abdul Ismail, 20, and Mubarak Yusuef, 21, from the CCTV.
Ismail and Yusuef were arrested and charged within a month, while Dilallo fled the country.
He was arrested on his return to the UK and all three were convicted of grievous bodily harm and robbery following a trial Cardiff Crown Court in January 2024.
They were remanded in custody and were sentenced on Monday, May 13.
Thierno Diallo, from Riverside, was sentenced to 10 years at a Youth Offender Institution.
Abdul Ismail, from Grangetown, was sentenced to 10 years at a Youth Offender Institution.
Mubarak Yusuf, from Grangetown, was sentenced to 10 years’ imprisonment.
DC Powell added:
“The impact on the victim has been devastating, but he was pleased with the outcome at court. We hope he can now get his life back on track while these three individuals serve significant jail terms.”
