'Trail of carnage' as driver mowed down pedestrians on Christmas Day

A DRIVER left a “trail of carnage” after mowing down pedestrians on Christmas Day in a series of drink-fuelled attacks that killed a man, a court heard.

- MATHILDE GRANDJEAN

Anthony Gilheaney, 30, left a nightclub in the early hours of December 25, 2024, and was “beside himself with rage”, a trial was told.

He then launched a series of unprovoked attacks in London’s West End, the Old Bailey heard. Gilheaney hit five pedestrians with his car, some of whom he targeted for racist and homophobic reasons, jurors were told.

One of the victims, Aidan Chapman, 25, suffered fatal brain damage and died in hospital on New Year’s Eve.

Prosecutor Crispin Aylett KC said: “In his wake, the defendant had left a trail of carnage. It is tempting to view the defendant’s behaviour as inexplicable. In truth, however, it is not.

It was borne out of a drink-fuelled rage that led to a racist attack on Arif Khan in Archer Street. He then targeted two men in Great Windmill Street in what the prosecution suggests was a homophobic attack.

“He then deliberately drove at pedestrians in Great Windmill Street. By the time he reached Shaftesbury Avenue, the defendant was simply completely and utterly out of control.