An East London man appeared in court today, charged with the murder of renowned chef Mussie Imnetu, following a violent attack near Notting Hill Carnival.
Omar Wilson, 31, from Napier Road, Leytonstone, appeared at the Old Bailey on September 9 accused of killing Mussie Imnetu, 41, a top chef who had previously worked under celebrity chefs Gordon Ramsay and Marcus Wareing.
The alleged attack took place on August 26 outside Dr Power restaurant in Queensway, during the carnival. Wilson is accused of headbutting Imnetu and then “punching him five times in the head” before continuing the assault as Imnetu lay on the ground, the court heard.
Police and paramedics were called to the scene at around 11:22 pm, where Imnetu was found unconscious with a head wound. He was transported to a hospital for treatment but died four days later, on August 30.
Wilson was initially charged with grievous bodily harm, but the charge was upgraded to murder following Imnetu’s death.
Prosecutor Julian Winship told the court that the interaction between the two men occurred in the area of the carnival, escalating into the fatal attack. Wilson only confirmed his name and date of birth during the brief hearing.
He will remain in custody until his plea and trial preparation hearing at the Old Bailey on November 25, with a preliminary trial date set for February 3 next year. The trial is expected to last two weeks.
Mussie Imnetu, who was in the UK on business, had been living and working in Dubai. On the day of the attack, he had left The Arts Club, a private members’ club in Mayfair, around 1 pm, and was later seen at Dr Power restaurant, where the alleged assault occurred.
The Met Police confirmed that Imnetu was alone at the time of the incident, which occurred amid the carnival crowds. His impressive culinary career included working under renowned chefs such as Alain Ducasse, alongside Ramsay and Wareing.
Authorities are continuing their investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident.
