URGENT UPDATE: A London driver has been convicted of murder after a Christmas Day rampage that resulted in the death of 25-year-old Aidan Chapman and injuries to four others. Anthony Gilheaney, 31, was found guilty by a jury at the Old Bailey on Friday, following a trial that revealed a series of violent, unprovoked attacks using his high-powered Mercedes.
The harrowing events unfolded in the early hours of December 25, 2024, when Gilheaney launched his vehicle at pedestrians in London’s West End. Prosecutors described the incident as a “drink-fueled rampage.” Gilheaney struck Chapman head-on, leaving him with catastrophic injuries that led to his death on New Year’s Eve.
The jury heard that Gilheaney targeted individuals for racist and homophobic reasons. He first confronted Arif Khan, using a racial slur before knocking him down with his car. Afterward, he exited the vehicle to physically assault Khan. The violence escalated as he also drove at Marcelo Basbus-Garcia and his partner, Miguel Waihrich, who were walking home after midnight mass.
Gilheaney admitted to manslaughter during the trial, as well as various charges of wounding and assault, but maintained he did not intend to kill anyone. However, the jury found him guilty of murdering Chapman and attempting to murder Basbus-Garcia and Tyrone Itorho, while acquitting him of attempting to murder Waihrich.
The incident was captured on dashcam footage from an Uber driver, who recorded Gilheaney ramming into parked cars and mounting sidewalks, prompting panic among pedestrians. Following the chaotic events, police began chasing Gilheaney, who ultimately abandoned his vehicle and fled on foot, only to be found unconscious in a park shortly after.
Witnesses described the scene as chaotic, with pedestrians fleeing in terror as Gilheaney recklessly drove through the streets of London. The trial revealed that he had consumed excessive alcohol and was under the influence of cannabis when he left a nightclub that night.
Gilheaney’s driving history is alarming; he lacked a valid driving license and had previously faced charges for dangerous driving, often using false number plates to evade law enforcement scrutiny. He is scheduled to be sentenced on January 30, 2025.
This tragic event highlights the urgent need for stricter enforcement against reckless driving and the dangers posed by intoxicated motorists. The community is left grappling with the aftermath of this senseless violence, as families mourn the loss of Chapman and the impact on the other victims.
Stay tuned for further updates on this developing story.
