Man convicted of trying to steal watch from Andy Carroll

West Ham United player had to head back to training ground for fear of being pursued by thief.

West Ham United's Andy Carroll, right, was driving home from the training ground when the incident occurred. Ian Kington / AFP

A thief was convicted on Friday of trying to steal a £22,000 (Dh104,602) watch from West Ham United and England striker Andy Carroll.

Motorbike-riding Jack O'Brien, 22, pulled up alongside Carroll's Jeep Wrangler car near Hainault, north-east London, as the footballer was driving home from the Hammers' training ground on November 2 last year.

Carroll told the trial at Basildon Crown Court east of London that he feared O'Brien had a gun when he drew level with him at a set of traffic lights and demanded he hand over the watch.

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Carroll, 28, was then pursued by two suspects on motorbikes as he tried to escape.

As a result, he was forced onto the wrong side of the road as he headed back to east London club West Ham's training ground, which is protected by security staff.

O'Brien, who has past convictions for burglary, was found guilty of attempted robbery.