Man was killed in Christmas Day ‘trail of carnage’ in London’s West End

A man accused of murdering a pedestrian left a “trail of carnage” as he drunkenly drove through London’s West End in the early hours of Christmas Day last year, a court has been told.

Anthony Gilheaney, 30, began insulting and attacking people after he and his two friends left a nightclub in Shaftesbury Avenue.

It is claimed Mr Gilheaney, from Essex, then abused and fought with strangers before getting into his car and driving it into passers-by, the Old Bailey heard.

Among those hit was Aidan Chapman, 25, who died from brain injuries as a result. Mr Gilheaney denies Mr Chapman’s murder plus three counts of attempted murder.

Opening the prosecution, Crispin Aylett KC said Mr Gilheaney left a “trail of carnage” during his “drink-fuelled” rage.

He said the defendant had already targeted one man out of racism before he “deliberately drove across the street intending to kill someone”.

Mr Gilheaney drove into two men in a “clearly homophobic attack” and narrowly missed a family walking with their child in a pushchair, the prosecution said.

He then hit Mr Chapman and his friend Tyrone Itorho as they crossed Shaftesbury Avenue.

They were almost at the pavement when Mr Gilheaney “suddenly careered on to the other side of the road”, jurors heard.

“He clipped the one who was on the edge of the pavement; the other man, who was a little further back, was run over and thrown into the air,” Mr Aylett KC told the jury.

Mr Chapman was hit full-on and suffered catastrophic brain damage, the trial heard. He died in hospital on New Year’s Eve.

Mr Gilheaney was arrested in Lincoln’s Inn Fields.

During his arrest, according to the prosecution, he told officers: “I am so sorry for everything I have ever done. I will admit to everything. I am guilty. I am sorry.”

In another police interview, he is alleged to have told officers he could not remember the events on Christmas morning.

A blood sample was taken from Mr Gilheaney which was found to contain 147mg of alcohol per 100ml of blood. The legal limit is 80.

Another blood test revealed the defendant had taken a medication for treating conditions like nerve pain, anxiety disorders and epilepsy, the court heard.

Mr Gilheaney also denies one count of wounding with intent, two counts of causing grievous bodily harm with intent and one count of attempting to cause grievous bodily harm.

Jurors were told he already admitted to dangerous driving.

The trial continues.