The Government has banned another legal high with new legislation coming into force on November 27.
The substance is currently on sale in shops across the region as well as online but will become unlawful from November 27 in a temporary ban lasting a year.
The latest ban ends the legal sale of N-methyl-1-(thiophen-2-yl)propan-2-amine - also known as methiopropamine or MPA - for misuse as a psychoactive substance.
The chemical has similar effects to amphetamines and is sometimes sold under names which suggest it is amphetamine.
The move by the Secretary of State is based on a recommendation from the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs.
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Another legal high banned in latest Government crack down
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Cornish man denies dog attack which left grandfather 'scalped'
A CORNISH man has denied his dog was responsible for an attack which left a grandfather scalped and requiring surgery.
Paul Francis Charles Lindsay-Jones, of Salmon Row, Truro, pleaded not guilty when he appeared at Truro Crown Court on Friday.
The 52-year-old is accused of being the owner of a dog, described as a mixed breed rottweiler mastiff cross, which was dangerously out of control in a public place and caused injury to a person.
Peter Fitzgerald required surgery after the incident which is alleged to have occurred in Truro on June 20.
Lindsay-Jones, who was released on conditional bail, will face trial on February 5.
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Police and coroner called to sudden death at property in Plymouth
POLICE were called to a property in Plymouth after a person died suddenly.
Two police cars and a coroner's van were outside a property in Bainbridge Avenue, Hartley, after a person died suddenly.
A police spokesman said officers were called to a sudden death at the property at 11.15am today but that there were no suspicious circumstances.
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Prosecutors close case against Tanis murder accused
PROSECUTORS have closed their case against a man accused of the murder of Tanis Bhandari.
Jurors in the trial of Donald Pemberton, who also faces three counts of wounding with intent and one count of actual bodily harm, heard from a forensic scientist who had analysed clothing belonging to both 21-year-old Pemberton and co-accused Ryan Williams, who pleaded guilty to the five joint charges earlier this week.
The analysis included blood-stains and DNA found on their clothes and trainers, and on two of the three weapons founds at the scene.
The court also listened to the full Facebook exchange between Pemberton and Dale Hewitt which took place during the evening of New Year's Eve, and included threats made by Pemberton to stab Mr Hewitt's liver. The court was also shown Pemberton's Facebook profile page, which showed his avatar, masked and holding his hand like a gun.
Jurors were also told of comments made by Pemberton which were recorded by enquiry officer, Det Con Jeffery Warden while the 21-year-old was at three different custody suites.
The court heard that some of his comments were inaudible, but those that could be heard included "I hope he ****ing dies and all", "you better believe I would've ****ing killed him, not attempted murder the ****ard", "what, so he died did he?" and "I haven't done anything".
The trial continues.
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Tears in Devon as Plymouth man's Eric Clapton Land Rover is stolen
An Eric Clapton fan from Plymouth was left gutted when his pride-and-joy Land Rover Discovery which was once owned by the star was stolen from a city garage - leaving behind only its front bumper.
The Land Rover Discover was taken from a body shop where it was being restored while the owner, Tony Daniels, was away on business.
Colin Lloyd, owner of Lloyd's Refinishers Ltd, arrived at his body shop to discover the alarm blazing and the car missing - with only the front bumper remaining.
Now Colin is appealing for help, so that he can return Clapton's clapped out Discovery to Tony before he returns home at Christmas.
Tony Daniels, an ex-marine from Plymouth, is currently working security overseas, and handed over his beloved motor to Colin to fix.
The car, a Land Rover Discovery 3 TDV6 HSE, needed some major work so the front bumper was removed, and the front wings were stripped back and covered in primer.
But Colin had only half finished the job, and left the car in bits while we waited to finish the work.
But that didn't stop the thieves, who broke into the unit with bolt cutters and stole what remained of the car.
Colin said: "Tony booked the car in with us to be repaired while he was away, and we had to deliver it before he got back at Christmas, so there was no rush.
"We've dealt with Tony before, he's a good man.
"We were taking our time, and the front bumper was off and the car was full of hand tools, because we were still working with it.
"He's a big Clapton fan so this car is his pride and joy, one of the reasons he bought the car was because Clapton had owned it, so it's one of a kind really.
"I came in and the alarm was going off and the car was gone.
"The thieves used bolt croppers to break the secure shutters.
"The car, which was once owned by Eric Clapton, was missing its front bumper and the front wings were painted in primer, so it may still be local or have been loaded on to a trailer.
"Tony is desperate for its return and no amount of insurance money will ever replace it.
"I think they were targeting Land Rovers specifically, because another was stolen in the area recently in the same manner.
"We are devastated that the car was stolen from us, it was Tony's pride and joy and we were looking forward to returning it to him in better condition than when we got it."
A reward is now being offered for the car, which bears the registration plate 'T3 CDO'.
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Prisoner appears in court on murder charge after inmate was stabbed
A prisoner from HMP Dartmoor has appeared in court charged with murder after a fellow inmate was stabbed.
William Tolcher, 50, apeared in court accused of stabbing Alexander Cusworth, 37, from Teignmouth, on Thursday.
Tolcher did not enter a plea.
He will appear at Plymouth Crown Court on Wednesday.
Cusworth, who was stabbed with a carving knife in the kitchen, had been at HMP Dartmoor in Princetown since May and was serving eight years.
He was pronounced dead at Derriford Hospital.
Cusworth was jailed for attacking his landlord with a broomstick.
The victim spent eight days in a coma.
A spokesman for the Ministry of Justice said: "A police investigation is ongoing so it would be inappropriate to comment further at this stage."
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'Boss asked contractor for £10,000', Plymouth fraud trial told
A SENIOR boss at Princess Yachts asked a sub-contractor for £10,000 for Christmas, a fraud trial heard.
Facilities manager Glyn Thompson, aged 57, wanted the cash from a groundworks company doing projects for the luxury boatmaker at South Yard, a jury was told.
Thompson is on trial accused of plotting with others to defraud Princess Yachts out of more than £1 million in a series of complex scams between 2010 and 2013.
He is accused of accepting money from a company called Elite Facilities Solutions.
Thompson also allegedly invoiced EFS through his own firm for work which was not carried out.
Former EFS boss John Tinley told Plymouth Crown Court he and other directors met an ex-manager at the groundworks firm SJD.
Simon Downey's company had also done work for Princess Yachts under the direction of Thompson and his deputy Roger Truen.
Tinley said SJD was in receivership at the time of the meeting in the summer of 2013 and Mr Downey was looking for work.
Neither Mr Downey not anyone else from SJD has been charged with any criminal offence.
Tinley told the jury that Mr Downey told them that Thompson had asked him for £10,000 "for Christmas".
Tinley added that Mr Downey had "just laughed".
Truen, Tinley and fellow EFS boss Michael Honey has already admitted conspiracy to defraud Princess Yachts.
Thompson, of Thornbury Park Avenue, Peverell, steadfastly denies dishonesty and has pleaded not guilty to two charges of conspiracy to defraud the firm
Former Plymouth Argyle player Darren Tallon, aged 43, of Elfordleigh Farm, Plympton, is also charged with two counts of conspiracy to defraud Princess Yachts.
The trial continues, though there is no sitting tomorrow.
The jury will visit Princess Yachts on Wednesday.
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Sex offender breached order by staying with child in Plymouth
A CONVICTED sex offender lived at a home where a child was staying in breach of a court order.
Kristen Lukess, aged 50, pleaded guilty to two counts of breaching her Sexual Offences Prevention Order.
She appeared at Plymouth Crown Court to admit residing under the same roof as someone under 16 without their parents being aware of her previous convictions.
The offence happened between August 1 and September 23.
Lukess, appearing from Eastwood Park via videolink, also pleaded guilty to failing to register an address in Delamere Road in Eggbuckland as one where she stayed between June and August.
She denied a third breach of the SOPO by having unauthorised contact with a four-year-old child.
That plea was accepted by the Crown Prosecution Service, meaning no trial is needed.
Lukess, now of Antony Gardens, Pennycross, was given the order by magistrates in West Cornwall in 2006.
Judge Paul Darlow adjourned sentence for a probation report to be prepared.
He said: "This case has certain complexities. All options are open. Just because I am asking for a report it does not mean a prison sentence will not follow."
Lukess was remanded in custody until January 8.
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Plymouth man accused of illegal lending and sex assaults faces trial
A MAN accused of sexually assaulting two women while acting as an illegal loan shark is to face a judge and jury next May.
Mark Constantine, aged 54, appeared at Plymouth Crown Court accused of lending money without a licence.
He did not enter any pleas to any of the five charges he faces.
Constantine, of Higher Stert Terrace, Prince Rock, allegedly lent cash and arranged hire purchase deals while not authorised between April 2014 and May 2015.
He is accused of a similar offence while not holding a relevant licence between August 2011 and March 2014.
Constantine is charged with transferring criminal property through his money lending between August 2011 and this May.
He allegedly sexually assaulted one woman in August or September 2013.
Constantine is finally charged with the sexual assault of another woman in October last year.
Judge Paul Darlow set down two trials, one on the lending charges and the other on the sexual counts, to run back-to-back over six days from May 16 next year.
Constantine was released on unconditional bail until an interim hearing on January 29. He will then be expected to enter his pleas.
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Trio in court accused of selling fake 1D clothing in Plymouth
THREE people have faced a judge accused of selling a huge haul of fake goods – including One Direction clothing.
Kenneth Colley, aged 42, Jason Ross, aged 45 and Anna Strzelecka, aged 39, appeared at Plymouth Crown Court jointly charges with selling clothing bearing trademarked images between July 1 2009 and July 12, 2012.
Prosecutors claim the operation made more than £150,000.
They are further accused of concealing the proceeds of criminal conduct, namely cash, between the same dates.
Colley and Strzelecka are also charged with possessing a printing unit – namely a Coolemaster computer tower and printers – specifically designed to label clothing with a registered trade mark.
They pair also allegedly created clothing with a registered trade mark and possessed clothing bearing a false trade mark with a view to selling the goods.
Colley, of Risdon Avenue, Prince Rock; Strzelecka of nearby Embankment Road, and Ross, of Penmere Drive, Newquay did not enter pleas to any of the charges.
Prosecutors have previously estimated the profits from the operation were between £150,000 and £180,000.
Clothes bearing false trademarks such as One Direction and Boy London were allegedly sold on Ebay.
Judge Paul Darlow set down a trial to last four or five days starting May 9 next year.
The trio were released on unconditional bail until an interim hearing on February 22 when they will be expected to enter pleas.
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Star Tupac Shakur accused of battering south Devon pensioner with a wooden table leg
A woman called Star Tupac Shakur has been remanded in custody after being accused of battering a pensioner with a wooden table leg in Torquay.
It follows an incident in Church Street on Saturday, November 28.
Shakur spoke only to confirm her name when she appeared before magistrates in Torquay on Monday.
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Jurors watch video of defendant waving meat cleavers at men in Plymouth street two weeks before Tanis was killed
JURORS were shown a video of the man accused of the murder of Tanis Bhandari waving two meat cleavers at a group of men in Plymouth city centre just two weeks before the incident in Tamerton Foliot.
The footage was shown after prosecutors succeeded in making a bad character application which allowed them to present to the court details of previous convictions of both Donald Pemberton, from Victoria Road, St Budeaux and Ryan Williams, from Haydon Grove, St Budeaux.
Williams last week pleaded guilty at Plymouth Crown Court to the murder of Mr Bhandari in the early hours of New Year's Day, three counts of wounding with intent and one count of causing actual bodily harm. Pemberton, aged 21, denies all charges.
The court was shown footage captured on the city centre cameras at around 1.15am on December 15, 2014.
Prosecutor Simon Laws QC explained how Pemberton and three others got a taxi to the city centre. They encountered a man who later told officers he had seen two men running past him who appeared "looking scared and frantic".
He told police the four men confronted him, asking him about the other two men. He told investigators they told him they "wanted to teach them [the two men] a lesson". The court heard he described them as "intimidating, confrontational, angry"
One of the men, who was later identified as Pemberton, produced two "butcher type knives" and exclaimed "we're going to cut them up".
The footage was then shown and reveals Pemberton in a hoody top holding the two meat cleavers hunched over in a doorway behind the Toys R Us store.
The footage goes on to show him brandish the weapons, striking them together and making overarm chopping gestures towards a group of men he appeared to be shouting at.
The court was told Pemberton and the others with him had been shouting up to a group of Polish me inside a nearby set of flats shortly beforehand.
During the footage, Pemberton was seen to be running back and forth, shouting at the men and directing his colleagues towards the opposing group while still waving the cleavers.
The court was told Williams had a number of previous convictions. In March 2009 he was convicted of being in possession of offensive weapons - a hammer and golf club – in St Budeaux Square. In August the same year he was charged with affray and criminal damage after intimidating a neighbour and making threats to kill by burning down the neighbours' housing with his children inside. The court was told the neighbour had to move home but when he came to collect his belongings, Williams attacked him with a garden spade.
In June 2010 Williams was found in a public place with a 5 inch kitchen knife.
In March 2011 he threatened a bus driver with a kitchen knife after brandishing the weapon and saying: "I will stab you up, cut you up you pussyo".
On December 2011 Williams was arrested after threatening a woman in Torpoint. On arrest officers found a 12 inch kitchen knife.
Pemberton, pleaded guilty to battery after an unprovoked assault on a man on December 24, 2013 outside Jesters nightclub in Union Street. The court was told he "swore and taunted a male" who walked away. Pemberton ran up to him and punched him in the face.
In September 2014 Pemberton pleaded guilty to an offence which took place in June the same year after he was found to be in possession of a machete in a public place.
Pemberton took the stand in his defence.
In answer to questions from his counsel, Martin Meeke, QC, the 21-year-old said he felt "embarrassed" by his behaviour on the video shown to the court.
When asked why he had pleaded guilty to each of his previous offences, he admitted he had done what he was accused of.
When asked why he had pleaded not guilty to the offences of New Year's Day, he replied: "Because I didn't stab anyone".
Pemberton revealed he bought £30 of mephedrone – known as 'bubble' – before going out on New Years' Eve, after seeking out a dealer he knew via Facebook.
He admitted getting into a Facebook argument with Dale Hewitt and Kane Swabey during the evening. Pemberton said his plan was to meet with Mr Swabey at a speed camera in Budshead Road.
When asked what he thought about the tone of the exchanges between himself and Mr Hewitt on Facebook he replied: "It's not nice is it. I was being rude to his mum. It just got out of control, y'know."
He told the jury Mr Swabey asked to meet him in Budshead Road, but said the former friend was known to him to carry weapons.
Pemberton said: "He said he was on his way to my mums. He used to be my friend and knows where my mum lives."
In response to posts by Mr Swabey, which Pemberton claimed were later removed from his thread leaving only his own comments, he wrote at around 1am on New Years' Day: "I said Tamerton Foliot Kane you little ****head. Come here braveheart. Mate shuttup you grass. I know what you're about you scouse wannabe. Haha, I will be there in 25"
He admitted getting the axe from a shed at the party he was attending in Cunningham Road, Tamerton Foliot, but in response to questions from Mr Meeke, he denied knowing Williams had taken a large kitchen knife from the property.
The trial continues.
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No concerns raised over incidents at Plymouth mental health unit reported to police
HEALTH bosses have emphasised they have a "very good relationship" with police following reports on the number of times officers have been called to a Plymouth mental health unit.
Figures obtained by the BBC following a Freedom of Information request showed police were called to the Derriford-based Glenbourne Unit 460 times in five years - 270 of them to deal with missing people.
It came as the Police Federation said dealing with people with mental health problems was putting a strain on their services.
But chiefs in charge of Glenbourne said no police contact issues had been raised with them during their regular discussions.
Steve Waite, chief executive of Plymouth Community Healthcare, said: "At Glenbourne, we care for people suffering from mental health problems who cannot be supported at home.
"We do so in a variety of ways, sometimes care and treatment is provided informally and sometimes more formally under a section of the Mental Health Act.
"Glenbourne has been recognised by the Care Quality Commission as providing good quality care and treatment for people and has the correct resources in place to do so.
"There are clear protocols and policies in place for when we have concerns about the safety of patients or staff.
"When it is reasonable and responsible to do so, we will request police assistance.
"A joint policy is in place across the key agencies in Plymouth, that applies to all healthcare settings, to ensure that reports to the police are made only when necessary to ensure safety.
"We have a very good working relationship with our local police colleagues and liaise on a regular basis to discuss operational processes, including any specific concerns either organisation may have.
"Requests for police assistance have not been raised with us as an issue.
"In the case of patients who are being treated formally under the Mental Health Act and who have failed to return to the unit following a period of agreed leave, or who have left the unit without leave being agreed with their clinical team, this is a situation where we may expect to request police assistance.
"The safety of the person concerned, and the safety of others, are of paramount importance."
The reported figures showed police have been alerted to 700 incidents in five years at the Derriford unit.
According to the figures, incidents include one allegation of rape, 13 sexual offences, 67 reports of violence and 270 missing person reports.
Nigel Rabbitts, from Devon and Cornwall Police Federation, told the BBC: "Police resources are deployed to support another statutory agency which, due to resourcing issues and management policies, have become reliant on the police to assist in their function."
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Man arrested after witness sees suspected theft in progress
A Plymouth man has been charged with theft after a witness saw someone climb over gates with bolt croppers and return with an engine.
A passerby called 999 on Sunday after seeing what they suspected was a theft in progress.
A police spokesman said: "On Sunday evening an eagle eyed person called 999 to report seeing someone climbing over some gates at The Moorings, Embankment Road, Kingsbridge, carrying a pair of bolt croppers.
"They also saw them return with a boat engine and then drive off.
"The witness was able to stay on the phone and provide the registration number of the vehicle and the direction it drove off.
"Police Officers from across the South Hams were dispatched and the vehicle was stopped on the A379."
29 year old Stuart Ball from Plymouth has been charged with theft and bailed to appear at Magistrates Court.
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Haul of £3,600 stolen booze found near Plymouth as police pull over car
Police have seized alcohol worth more than £3,600 after stopping a car near Plymouth last night.
They also found suspected forged documents and three people they believe are wanted in connection with offences.
The haul is believed to have been stolen and was found during an operation to crack down on drink driving ahead of Christmas.
It was fond by officers who pulled over a car near Liskeard last night.
Police found a large quantity of alcohol which they say they suspect has been stolen from shops across the country.
Devon and Cornwall Police ANPR team tweeted pictures of the haul, which they say estimate to be worth £3,674.
Police appealed for shops in the area to check their shelves for missing alcohol.
A member of the police response team said: "We arrested three foreign nationals suspected of theft nationwide.
"One driver is possibly wanted on a European arrest warrant, two are wanted for numerous offences across the UK.
"We also seized a number of suspected forged identity documents and vehicles which had been hired with false bank details."
The car they were travelling in was stopped by police on the A38 near Liskeard shortly after 5pm on Tuesday, December 1.
More than 100 bottles of alcohol, including spirits and champagne, were seized by officers, along with the silver Nissan Qashqai they were driving.
Two men, aged 34 and 36, and a 19-year-old woman, all believed to be Lithuanian and from the West Midlands area, were arrested on suspicion of theft and taken to Newquay police station where they remain.
Enquiries are continuing to find out where the alcohol was taken from and officers are appealing for information.
Anyone with information that could assist with the investigation is asked to call 101 quoting reference 4 of 1 December.
Information can also be passed to Crimestoppers anonymously by calling 0800 555 111 or reporting online at www.Crimestoppers.co.uk.
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Plymouth mum ordered to remove CCTV she installed to catch pervert because it breaches his privacy
A Plymouth mother who installed CCTV after a man was spotted performing sex acts in her garden has been ordered to take it down - as it breaches his privacy.
Stunned Devika Devereux, 38, was advised by police to put up the camera after a male broke into her back yard and masturbated in front of her family.
She had one fitted on the outside of her first floor flat and says as it does not monitor anything beyond her own back yard.
But furious Devika says she has been told by the building's owners it is not allowed - in case it shows part of a communal garden.
She's been told if the man was in the communal garden at the time it would break privacy laws to film him.
Devika said: "I was in bed around 10.15pm and I heard what I thought was my son's television. I shouted to him to turn it down and he must have heard the same thing.
"I flew into my son's room and the man was watching porn on his mobile phone by the trampoline in my garden.
"The people who live in the flat downstairs had their light on and you could see everything.
"It was shock horror - just disgraceful. My jaw was hanging wide open and I could not believe what I was witnessing."
Devika, a student at Plymouth University, says she was advised by the police to install the device after her and her son, 15, twice witnessed the male.
She said: "I was advised by the police to get a mini camera with a sensor light to deter him from coming back in.
"The camera is directed at my back garden - not anywhere else. It won't film anyone who is not in my garden."
Devika claims that the building's committee Surf View Limited, has written to her letting agents ordering her to take it down and saying if she did not, they would send someone to do the job.
She said: "They said they're responsible for the render to the building on the outside even though my landlord gave me permission to put it up.
"They don't mind people putting up house number and plant pots, but they've told me I have to take my camera down even though they know what's happened.
"My son is having panic attacks because of it and I've been getting more and more anxious.
"I just want the man to stay out of our garden. I've spent a lot of money on keeping him out. I've had to buy padlocks and a sensor camera.
"I've got two coded padlocks, which cost £70 and the camera cost £100 and an extra £100 to have it fitted."
Directors from Surf View Ltd have declined to comment.
A spokesman for Devon and Cornwall Police said an investigation into the incidents was underway.
Devika, who is a mother of four children aged 15, 13, 8 and 6, is a student studying finance at Plymouth University.
She put the camera up in August after witnessing the man's last indecent exposure in July.
She said: "I saw him from my window and my son saw him from his. He was totally naked.
I put the camera up as I just do not want his man in my garden.
"The committee are trying to claim it is breaching his privacy. Why do they care about that?
"It is crazy when he is totally naked in my garden masturbating in front of me and my children.
"The committee have demanded I take it down. They talk about his privacy but he is doing this in my garden."
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Warning as fake online tickets are being sold for Plymouth's winter ice rink
Police are investigating after a number of apparently fake tickets were sold for time on Plymouth's winter ice rink.
Rink managers say they have had 'a significant number' of online tickets presented to them - which have not been bought through a valid source.
A spokesman said the tickets are not valid, and it is unclear where the money used to buy the tickets is going.
She said the company which is running the rink, Blue Martini, has so far honoured the fake tickets.
But it is now urging people to only buy tickets from a legitimate source and the problem has been reported to Devon and Cornwall Police.
A spokesman for Plymouth Outdoor Ice Rink said: "There appear to be a few rogue tickets going round for the Plymouth Outdoor Ice Rink that people are purchasing online.
"We want to ensure people are going to the correct web address to purchase their skating tickets.
"Blue Martini have been honouring these tickets but we have no idea where the money is going to."
She added: "A significant number of these tickets have been presented, and the matter has been reported to police."
The ice rink in The Piazza, in front of Plymouth's Big Screen, is part of the winter celebrations and tickets can be bought at the venue as well as online.
The correct address to buy tickets is www.plymouthwintericerink.co.uk.
The spokesman added: "We are not sure where people are finding the incorrect address, but we have looked at the site they are using.
"It may look legitimate, but we urge people to make sure they are using the correct address only."
Have you been caught out? Contact The Herald on 01752 293100 or email news@plymouthherald.co.uk
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Police officers spat on and bitten near Plymouth
TWO police officers were apparently subjected to physical attacks in Liskeard on Tuesday night.
The Caradon police Twitter account reported that one officer was bitten and another was spat on.
It is not clear whether the assault took place in two separate incidents or the same one.
@Supt_IanDS Two officers assaulted in Liskeard too on Tuesday evening. One was spat on. The other was bitten.
— Caradon Police (@CaradonPolice) December 3, 2015The Tweet was published after Supt Ian Drummond-Smith reported that two other officers had been spat on in St Austell on Wednesday.
Two officers assaulted yesterday in #StAustell. Both spat on. Offender in custody. #assaultpolice#police#cornwall
— Ian Drummond-Smith (@Supt_IanDS) December 2, 2015↧
Opportunistic Plymouth thief uses forgotten bank card to withdraw £150
AN OPPORTUNISTIC thief withdrew £150 using a bank card left in a cash machine by the previous customer.
The incident happened between 11am and 11.30am on Tuesday, November 3 in Marlborough Road, Plymouth.
Police would like to speak to the man pictured above about to the theft.
He is described as being a white man, aged in his mid-20s, of slim build, with a small beard and dark, collar-length hair.
If you can help police contact 101 quoting crime reference CR/076538/15.
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Rolex robber resorted to stealing Reeboks 'to pay for way out of Plymouth'
A STREET robber ripped a £5,000 Rolex watch from his victim's arm - then fled to a Plymouth street called Diamond Avenue.
But low-life Rayan Soultan was eventually jailed after a burglary he carried out in the city, which he says he only committed so he could make enough money to leave.
The 22-year-old was jailed in Wales after finally going before a judge for the early-hours watch robbery - and may now be deported.
Cardiff Crown Court heard how Soultan targeted victim Anthony Leyshon, 47, as he walked to a chip shop in the Welsh capital after a night out with friends on March 8.
Prosecutor Ian Kolvin told the court one man approached him and a second grabbed at his watch.
"He tried to hold on to it but it was pulled and pulled until the strap snapped," he said.
"The men ran off with it and Mr Leyshon went straight to police officers on duty in St Mary Street and reported it.
"He had paid £4,500 for the Rolex Explorer II but believes it had increased in value and was worth £5,000 when it was stolen."
Algerian national Soultan was identified from CCTV and found to have fled to Lipson, where police discovered him living at Diamond Avenue.
He was arrested and bailed, but then burgled a Plymouth bedsit and took computers, cash and a pair of Reebok trainers while the tenants slept.
Laurence Jones, for Soultan, told the court: "He says the burglary was committed in desperation because he had no money to get back to Cardiff from Plymouth, to answer his bail."
Soultan, who speaks little English and who was helped through the court proceedings by an interpreter, admitted both offences.
He said he was intoxicated on drink and drugs at the time of the robbery which Mr Jones described as "unpleasant and nasty".
The court heard how he had committed a similar street robbery with an accomplice in 2011.
Recorder of Cardiff Judge Eleri Rees jailed Soultan for two years and eight months.
She told him: "I cannot say on what date you will be released because you may be detained for deportation purposes following your sentence."
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