A DRIVER killed a man and tried to hit a baby after mounting a pavement in London’s West End in a Christmas Day rampage, a court heard.
Anthony Gilheaney ploughed into pedestrians as he “deliberately drove across the street intending to kill someone”, it is alleged.
The 30-year-old had been downing spirits in a nightclub before he got behind the wheel of his Mercedes-Benz E-Class and “drove like a maniac”, jurors were told.
The Old Bailey heard five people were injured in the drink-filled attacks, which took place in the early hours of December 25, 2024
Gilheaney first hit a Sikh man on the way back to his car and shouted racial abuse at the victim before mowing him down.
He then allegedly rammed an Uber before driving at a gay couple – sending one sprawling to the ground.
The couple had gone to Midnight Mass at St James’s Church, Piccadilly, the court heard.
He drove at two other men on Shaftsbury Avenue – including 25-year-old Aidan Chapman, who jurors heard “had not stood a chance” in the rampage.
Jurors were shown CCTV footage of the crash that showed the moment Aidan was thrown into the air and landed on the other side of the junction.
Prosecutor Crispin Aylett KC said: “Aidan was bleeding profusely from his head and ears, and he was lapsing in and out of consciousness.”
He was rushed to hospital but tragically passed away on New Year’s Eve after his life support was switched off.
Jurors heard Gilheaney also targeted a family – including two small children – who were walking in Soho.
Mr Aylett KC said dad Ayyaz Mahmood asked Gilheaney if he was “crazy” as he aimed his car at the group, including a baby in a pram.
The prosecutor continued: “In his wake, the defendant had left a trail of carnage: in all, six people went to hospital that night.
“One of them, the man who had been hit full-on in Shaftesbury Avenue, suffered such massive brain damage that he never recovered.
“On New Year’s Eve, the machines that had been keeping him alive were turned off and he died. His name was Aidan Chapman and he was just 25 years old.”
The court heard after ploughing into pedestrians, Gilheaney was chased by police through central London.
He mounted the kerb “at speed” – causing all four tyres on his car to become damaged.
Gilheaney then jumped out of the vehicle as it was still moving – with the Mercedes eventually coming to a halt after hitting a signpost.
He was arrested in Lincoln’s Inn Fields after he temporarily passed out, jurors were told.
Gilheaney was tearful and apologetic to police telling them: “I hold my hands up. I don’t care… I’m so sorry for everything I have ever done. I will admit to everything. I am guilty. I am sorry.’
He said his actions were due to the death of his brother from a cocaine overdose 18 months earlier.
Mr Aylett said: “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.
“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 suggest was a homophobic attack. He then deliberately drove at other pedestrians in Great Windmill Street.
“By the time he reached Shaftesbury Avenue, the defendant was simply completely and utterly out of control.
“He deliberately drove across the street intending to kill someone, and that is what happened.”
Gilheaney denies one count of murder, one count of wounding with intent, three counts of attempted murder, two counts of causing grievous bodily harm with intent, and one count of attempting to cause grievous bodily harm.
Jurors were told on Monday he already admitted to dangerous driving.
The trial continues.
