A 25-year-old man was today praised as a ‘loving, kind, funny soul’ after he died following an incident that saw four pedestrians hit by a car in London‘s West End.
‘Beautiful’ Aidan Chapman died from his injuries in hospital on New Year’s Eve following the chaos on Shaftesbury Avenue at 0.45am on Christmas Day last week.
Mr Chapman’s parents said in a statement issued today: ‘The loss of our beautiful son is a parent’s worst nightmare. We are utterly devastated with the loss of Aidan.
‘He enriched everyone’s lives. He was a loving, kind, funny soul and the world is a darker place without him. We, his parents, have lost the best part of ourselves.’
Anthony Gilheaney, 30, of Harlow in Essex, appeared at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on December 27 charged with four counts of attempted murder.
He was also charged with causing serious injury by driving whilst disqualified and possessing a knife in a public place, according to court documents.
Gilheaney was remanded in custody to appear at the Old Bailey on January 24.
He is accused of causing serious injury to four pedestrians while driving a Mercedes-Benz E-Class on Shaftesbury Avenue whilst disqualified.
Aidan Chapman, 25, was seriously injured in the incident and died on New Year’s Eve
Forensic investigators collect evidence at the scene on Shaftesbury Avenue on Christmas Day
He is also accused of having a small knife in Lincoln’s Inn Fields on the same day.
The Metropolitan Police said today that the existing charges will be reviewed by the court following the death of Mr Chapman.
The victim’s next-of-kin have been informed and are being supported by specialist officers, and a post-mortem examination will take place in due course.
The Met’s Specialist Crime Command is now leading the investigation and Mr Chapman’s death is being treated as a homicide.
Previously, the force said officers were called at 0.45am after reports of a collision and a car driving on the wrong side of the road on Shaftesbury Avenue in the capital’s theatre district.
The police cordon stretched between the Gielgud Theatre, where the musical Oliver is performed, and Sondheim Theatre, home to Les Miserables.
Police officers at the scene on Christmas Day on Shaftesbury Avenue in London’s West End
Forensic investigators collect evidence at the scene on Shaftesbury Avenue on Christmas Day
Police officers at the scene on Christmas Day on Shaftesbury Avenue in London’s West End
A further police cordon was on Archer Street and Great Windmill Street, covering the Windmill Soho nightclub and other venues in the Soho area.
Detective Chief Inspector Wayne Jolley, from the Met’s Specialist Crime Command, said today: ‘Our thoughts are with the victim’s friends and family at this difficult time.
‘My team are continuing to conduct enquiries to establish all the facts surrounding the circumstances, however it has been confirmed as an isolated incident which is not terror-related.
‘We would appeal to anyone who holds any CCTV or dash cam or mobile phone footage of the incident to come forward as well as anyone else who might have had contact with the suspect that evening.’
Anyone with information is asked to call police on 101 or message @MetCC quoting CAD 233/25DEC. Information, photos and footage can also be uploaded to Public Portal. Alternatively, information can be provided anonymously to the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or visit crimestoppers-uk.org