A THUG is facing jail today for stealing an expensive watch from soccer chief George Reynolds.

Tayo Aladesuyi, 23, wrenched the £41,000 Rolex from the multi-millionaire's wrist and tried to prise a diamond ring from his finger during a street mugging.

He only fled when Mr Reynold's plucky 80-year-old mother-in-law waded in, and a passing binman chased the crook off with a plastic pole.

The Darlington FC chairman, 64, says his confidence has suffered since the robbery in north London earlier this year.

Aladesuyi - known to fellow gangmates as Killer - was caught by police later that night after a high-speed car chase.

They found the gold Rolex stashed at his home the following day.

Yesterday, a jury at Snaresbrook Crown Court took an hour to convicted him of robbery and attempting to steal.

A former safe-cracker, Mr Reynolds was attacked as he left a Chinese restaurant with his wife Susan and her mother, May Firth, in May.

As they walked along Heath Street, near Mr Reynolds' Hampstead home, at midnight, three men pounced.

Mr Reynolds, who is rumoured to have a £235m fortune, was bundled to the ground as the thugs screamed: "Give us the watch."

One then turned on Mrs Reynolds, 40, and demanded her Rolex, too, but she refused to hand it over.

As two of the robbers grappled with Mr Reynolds, Mrs Firth jumped in and desperately tried to drag them off.

They eventually fled when passing refuse collector Paul Georka ran at them and chased their getaway car down the street.

Later that evening, two police officers stopped a car driven by Aladesuyi, who sped off, Within an hour, he was was arrested at his home in Linstead Street, West Hampstead.

Leoul Belete, 22, of Sheriff Road, West Hampstead, was cleared midway through the trial, after the judge ruled there was insufficient evidence against him.

Sentencing of Aladesuyi was adjourned until November 28 for reports.

After the verdict, a statement from Mr Reynolds detailing the effect the attack had was read to the court.

He said: "I was always a man with confidence, but since the robbery that confidence has been severely impaired. I have always had confidence in public places, and now find myself looking over my shoulder."

After the case, the judge awarded Mr Georka £500 for his bravery