Thief who attempted to rob Mesut Ozil and Sead Kolasinac is now partially blind

Ashley Smith, a career criminal who attempted to rob former Arsenal stars Mesut Ozil and Sead Kolasinac in 2019, has lost the sight in one eye after a violent attack in prison.

Smith and an accomplice attempted to steal €200,000 worth of watches from the players, with CCTV showing Kolasinac bravely fighting them off, while Ozil defended his wife.

Originally sentenced to 10 years (later reduced to six), Smith was attacked in his cell the night before his sentencing, leaving him partially blind.

The attack, reported as retaliation for an unrelated robbery, was caught on video, with Smith pleading not guilty before collapsing from his injuries.

Read too After being expelled from his former club, Ozil has also been banned from two countries

He now claims the attack was a case of mistaken identity, saying: "They took my eye, but that's life... my whole skull hurts."

The incident marks a grim turning point for Smith, whose failed robbery attempt led to imprisonment and lasting physical consequences. /Telegraph/