A motorist has pleaded guilty to killing a man with his car during a series of violent incidents in central London on Christmas Day last year.
Guilty Pleas Entered at the Old Bailey
Anthony Gilheaney, 31, from Harlow in Essex, is on trial at the Old Bailey facing a total of eight serious charges, which he denies. These include the murder of 25-year-old Aidan Chapman, wounding with intent, and three counts of attempted murder.
However, on Monday, Gilheaney admitted to a series of alternative, lesser offences. He pleaded guilty to the manslaughter of Mr Chapman. He also admitted unlawfully wounding Arif Khan, causing grievous bodily harm to Marcelo Basbus-Garcia and Miguel Waihrich, and assault occasioning actual bodily harm against Tyrone Itorho.
The court heard that the prosecution does not accept these pleas. The jury must still deliberate on the original eight charges, which allege the attacks were deliberate and unprovoked.
A Night of Violence in the West End
The incidents unfolded in the early hours of 25 December 2024 in London's West End. Prosecutors allege that Gilheaney used his high-powered Mercedes to deliberately target five people.
It is claimed he first knocked over Arif Khan, a complete stranger, with his car before getting out and physically attacking him after using a racial slur. He is then accused of deliberately driving at three others: Marcelo Basbus-Garcia, his partner Miguel Waihrich, and Aidan Chapman's friend, Tyrone Itorho.
The most serious allegation is that he used his car to mow down and kill Aidan Chapman. Mr Chapman suffered catastrophic brain injuries and died in hospital on New Year's Eve.
The Defence's Account of Events
Giving evidence last week, Gilheaney presented a different version of events. He stated he was not in control of the vehicle after being attacked by a group of men earlier that night and did not intend to hurt anyone.
The trial heard that a drunk Gilheaney had circled back to a club to try to pick up his pregnant girlfriend. He told the court he looked back, then forward, saw a moped, and swerved. He claimed he then accidentally hit the accelerator instead of the brake.
When asked by his defence counsel, James Scobie KC, who was responsible for Mr Chapman's death, Gilheaney replied: "Me, 100% - I was driving dangerous and recklessly." He described his speed as "way too fast" and called himself a coward for driving away. He has previously admitted a charge of dangerous driving.
The prosecution, however, alleges that some of the pedestrians were targeted for racist and homophobic reasons. The trial continues.
