The second suspect police are seeking in connection with the late-night robbery

A MAN has been jailed for six years and nine months for a Rolex watch robbery after a DNA match from a laughing gas “balloon” linked him to the crime.

Omed Azizi, 31, was convicted at Southwark Crown Court on Monday after pleading guilty to robbery following the late-night attack in Soho in April.

He was one of two men who police said “lured” another man to Richmond Mews before laun­ching a serious assault on him.

They stole the man’s designer watch and three valuable bracelets, along with his phone, bank cards and other jewellery.

Detective Constable Harriet Barby, who led the investigation, said: “Azizi is a dangerous offender, who targeted a young man enjoying a night out with his friends in Soho.

“This type of behaviour is intolerable and the lasting impact that such an unprovoked and violent attack can have on a victim is huge.

“I am pleased that Azizi has received a custodial sentence. Hopefully this will offer the victim and his family some sense of justice.”

CCTV images showed the attack but the footage was not detailed enough to identify the attackers.

But DI Barby said footage was later found showing one of the attackers inhaling from a balloon walking through Soho earlier in the night.

The discarded balloon was later recovered by detectives at the scene of where the crime took place and sent away for forensic testing.

It matched Azizi’s DNA and he was charged. Data from his phone showed he had been at a hotel in Marylebone in the hours after the attack.

West End detective chief inspector Scott Ware added: “This was a complex investigation that required a huge amount of hours of CCTV footage to be reviewed.

“This outcome should act as a warning to anyone else thinking of committing such an offence, that we will do all we can to identify you and bring you to justice.”

Despite the extensive enquiries, the other man has not yet been identified.

Police have released an image of him and are asking anyone who recognises him to call 101 quoting reference 6530451/23.