An Algerian thief who swiped a woman's handbag containing a Fabergé egg and watch worth £2million will be deported once he is freed from prison.

Enzo Conticello, 29, targeted Rosie Dawson, Director of Premium Brands at Craft Irish Whiskey, as she greeted a friend outside the Dog and Duck in Bateman Street, Soho, on November 7, 2024.

Conticello sidled up to Ms Dawson and stole her Givenchy handbag which contained over £2.1million of goods, including credit cards, a laptop, the Fabergé egg and a Fabergé watch, belonging to the whiskey company.

He then used Ms Dawson's credit card to buy himself a drink, cigarettes and other goods in a nearby Co-Op and Nisa Local.

Conticello, also known as Hakim Boudjenoune, was arrested by Met detectives in Belfast on 26 January. 

Last week he admitted theft and three counts of fraud by false representation. He remains in custody and will be sentenced on April 9. 

Conticello, who is also known as Hakim Boudjenoune, did not enter a plea to a charge of concealing criminal property, namely the egg and watch, and prosecutor Julian Winship today asked for that charge to lie on file.

Both the Fabergé egg and watch remain missing and the Metropolitan Police have urged anyone with information about their whereabouts to come forward 

 Conticello did not attend court today as Judge Mark Weekes set his sentencing date for 9 April. 

A judge earlier told Conticello: 'It must have been rather a surprise to you when you saw that egg, what you did with it I don't know at the moment.'

Matthew Keliris-Thomas, defending Conticello, asked for a pre-sentence report and said: 'He is not heavily convicted, not many like offences.'

Judge Weekes remarked: 'Well, ish.'

Conticello was convicted of theft at Laganside Court in Belfast on 9 January and jailed for five months, the court heard.

Judge Weekes said there was no need to prepare pre-sentence reports for the thief: 'He is also an overstayer. He is liable for deportation it would seem.'

The judge gave prosecutors until March 20 to provide the defence with a sentencing note including up-to-date valuation of the Fabergé egg.

Detectives have urged anyone with information about the missing egg to contact police on 101 or online, quoting crime reference 01/1057202/24 or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.

Charles Fabergé was a Russian goldsmith and jeweller, best known for creating Fabergé eggs made in the style of genuine Easter eggs using precious metals and gemstones. He was one of the sons of Gustav Fabergé, the founder of the House of Fabergé.