Christmas Day Horror on London’s Shaftesbury Avenue
A drunk driver unleashed a terrifying rampage on London’s West End last Christmas, mowing down pedestrians in a hateful spree fuelled by racist and homophobic abuse, a court heard.
Anthony Gilheaney, 30, snapped in a furious rage after leaving a nightclub in the early hours of December 25, the Old Bailey trial revealed.
His chilling attack targeted victims with racial slurs and homophobic insults before deliberately running them down. One victim, 25-year-old Aidan Chapman, later died from brain injuries on New Year’s Eve.
‘Trail of Carnage’ After Booze-Fuelled Rage
Prosecutor Crispin Aylett KC described the horror: “It is tempting to view the defendant’s behaviour as inexplicable. In truth, however, it was born out of drink-fuelled rage.”
Gilheaney first hurled racist abuse at Arif Khan, pushing him into the road before knocking him down and attacking him on foot. Then he targeted Sikh man Hardeep Singh, who returned with friends to fight back.
The violent spree didn’t stop. After Midnight Mass, Gilheaney deliberately struck one of two men holding hands, then aimed his car at the other.
On Shaftesbury Avenue, he careered into friends Adrian Chapman and Tyrone Itorho. Chapman took the full impact and suffered fatal brain damage.
Six Victims in Total, Including Uber Driver
- Five pedestrians injured or killed in the violent spree
- Uber driver Hasan Mashood attacked when Gilheaney rammed his car twice
Witnesses said Gilheaney’s driving was no accident — he was treating his car like a weapon. Police chased him until he jumped out of the moving vehicle and fled on foot.
Gilheaney was later found passed out in Lincoln’s Inn Fields. Tearfully, he admitted guilt and apologised, blaming his rage on the death of his brother from a cocaine overdose 18 months ago.
Driver Denies Murder but Admits Dangerous Driving
Gilheaney denies murder, wounding with intent, and multiple counts of attempted murder and grievous bodily harm. However, he has admitted dangerous driving. The trial continues.
“To say that the defendant had been driving like a maniac is simply a gross understatement. Instead, he was using his car as a weapon.” – Prosecutor Crispin Aylett KC
