Drink-fuelled driver jailed after mowing down a number of folks in Christmas Day rampage

A driver who killed a man and mowed down others with a car in a drink-fuelled rampage in London’s West End on Christmas Day in 2024 has been jailed for life.

Anthony Gilheaney, 32, was handed a minimum sentence of 37 years for the violent and unprovoked attacks he launched against five people in the early hours of December 25 2024, including using his high-powered Mercedes to hit and kill 25-year-old Aidan Chapman.

Mr Chapman was hit full on, suffering catastrophic brain damage, and died in hospital on New Year’s Eve.

He also knocked over Arif Khan with his car before getting out to physically attack him after using a racial slur and deliberately drove at three others – Marcelo Basbus-Garcia and his partner, Miguel Waihrich, and Mr Chapman’s friend, Tyrone Itorho – his trial was told.

The prosecution at his Old Bailey trial alleged he targeted people for racist and homophobic reasons. In a video released today, footage showed Gilheaney taking his shirt of before shouting in the street, while occasionally lashing out by trying to kick passing cars. Another clip shows him driving at speed and mounting the pavement.

Jurors found him guilty of murdering Mr Chapman, attempting to murder Dr Basbus-Garcia and Mr Itorho and wounding Mr Khan with intent following the trial in December.

Gilheaney was cleared of attempting to murder Mr Waihrich but was convicted of the alternative charge of causing him grievous bodily harm with intent.

The 32-year-old had told the jury he was not in control of the vehicle after he had been attacked by a group of men earlier that night, and that he did not intend to hurt anyone.

Gilheaney told jurors he had drunk up to six cans of a vodka cocktail mix before he arrived at a bar that night and admitted he had driven before in a “tipsy” condition.

He said a friend spiked his vape with cannabis while they were in the club which made him angry but he was persuaded to stay. He was drunk when midnight came and left soon afterwards, explaining that he was later circling back to find his pregnant girlfriend.

Gilheaney, who has never had a driving licence but told the court he has “always” liked being at the wheel of powerful cars, accepted that his motoring history is “shocking”.

It includes dangerous driving and, since he did not have a licence, Gilheaney said he used false number plates to help cover his tracks whenever parking tickets or other offences triggered interest in the vehicle.

Detective Inspector Stephanie Dexter, who helped lead the investigation, said: “First and foremost our thoughts and deepest sympathies remain with the family and loved ones of Aidan Chapman and all of those affected by this appalling incident.

“Aidan was a young man out celebrating the festive season with his friend when they were struck by Gilheany’s vehicle. While Gilheany has sought to portray himself as a victim, the court has heard that his actions were deliberate and fuelled by rage and alcohol.

“While no sentence can ever reflect the loss of Aidan’s life or the suffering of those affected, it is hoped that today’s outcome provides some measure of justice and accountability for the harm caused.”

“I would like to thank the team of officers who led a complex and fast-moving investigation. Detectives carried out extensive CCTV enquiries and gathered accounts from numerous witnesses at the scene to piece together what happened on that terrible and destructive night. In particular, they obtained vital dashcam footage, which revealed Gilheany’s movements and showed his anger.”

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