Anthony Gilheaney, 31, has admitted to killing Aidan Chapman, 25, by hitting him with his car on Christmas Day in London's West End. Gilheaney also pleaded guilty to unlawfully wounding Arif Khan, causing grievous bodily harm to Marcelo Basbus-Garcia and Miguel Waihrich, and assault occasioning actual bodily harm to Tyrone Itorho, all of whom were also struck by his car. These pleas were to alternative charges, and the prosecution is not accepting them, meaning the jury will still consider the eight more serious offenses Gilheaney denies, including murder and attempted murder. The incident occurred in the early hours of December 25, 2024.
Gilheaney claims he was not in control of his high-powered Mercedes because he had been attacked by a group of men earlier that night. He stated that while driving drunk and circling back to a club to pick up his pregnant girlfriend, he swerved to avoid a moped, accidentally accelerating instead of braking. He described his speed as "way too fast" and admitted he should have been looking ahead. Gilheaney expressed remorse, calling himself a "coward" for leaving Mr. Chapman to die and not stopping at the scene. The prosecution, however, alleges that Gilheaney targeted some of the pedestrians for racist and homophobic reasons. Mr. Chapman died in hospital on New Year's Eve from catastrophic brain damage sustained in the collision. The trial is ongoing at the Old Bailey.