A driver allegedly fuelled by drink and homophobic hatred left a 'trail of carnage' through London's West End on Christmas Day, a court has heard, in an attack that killed one man and seriously injured four others.
A Deliberate and Terrifying Assault
The Old Bailey was told that Anthony Gilheaney, 30, deliberately used his car as a weapon in the early hours of December 25, 2024. Prosecutors state the rampage began when Gilheaney targeted a gay couple, Marcelo Basbus-Garcia and Miguel Waihrich, as they walked home to Bloomsbury after Midnight Mass.
According to evidence, the couple first encountered Gilheaney shouting in Great Windmill Street. After he initially drove away, his grey Mercedes-Benz E-Class returned at a 'very high speed'. Marcelo Basbus-Garcia was struck first, knocked unconscious and left 'covered in blood', suffering a fractured collarbone, hearing loss and head injuries.
Miguel Waihrich gave harrowing testimony, describing making eye contact with the defendant as the car accelerated towards them a second time while he tried to shield his partner's body. 'I remember his eyes and the position of his hands on the wheel,' Mr Waihrich told jurors. 'I remember me crying for him to stop, and he didn't stop.'
A Fatal Escalation and Panic on Shaftesbury Avenue
After the attack on the couple, Gilheaney's alleged rampage continued. The court heard he then drove onto Shaftesbury Avenue, where he struck 25-year-old Aidan Chapman and his friend Tyrone Itorho as they crossed the road.
Aidan Chapman suffered catastrophic brain damage from the impact and died in hospital on New Year's Eve. CCTV footage shown to the jury depicted the car being driven on the pavement, mowing down pedestrians as people scattered in panic.
Dashcam footage from another vehicle captured Gilheaney, described as 'covered in blood and pumped with rage', getting out of his car and screaming in the middle of the road before the attacks continued.
Charges and Ongoing Trial
Anthony Gilheaney faces a series of serious charges, including one count of murder for the death of Aidan Chapman and three counts of attempted murder. He is also charged with wounding with intent and causing grievous bodily harm with intent in relation to the other victims.
Prosecutor Crispin Aylett KC told the jury that the initial attack on Mr Basbus-Garcia and Mr Waihrich was motivated by homophobia. Gilheaney has pleaded not guilty to all charges except one: he has admitted to dangerous driving.
The trial continues at the Old Bailey, with the victims' testimonies painting a vivid and traumatic picture of the Christmas Day violence that shocked central London.
