A man has been charged with four counts of attempted murder after a car hit four pedestrians on Christmas Day in London’s West End. The Metropolitan Police said that at 00:45 GMT on Wednesday, a car had been driving on the wrong side of the road in Shaftesbury Avenue, Soho. The alleged perpetrator, Anthony Gilheaney, has also been charged with causing serious injury by driving while disqualified, driving a motor vehicle dangerously, as well as possession of a bladed article in a public place. He is set to appear at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Friday.
According to Deputy Assistant Commissioner Stuart Cundy, a suspect was arrested within minutes of the “violent attack in the early hours of Christmas Day in Central London.” He stated that their thoughts were currently with the victims, of which one remains in critical condition in hospital. The Metropolitan Police Department has not yet released details about the victims’ identities or the extent of their injuries.
The festive period tends to be one of increased violence, with the Central Saint Martins professor of criminology, David Wilson, stating that Christmas is “a time of tension, a time of increased anxiety, and those spices added to family consumption of alcohol.” While we wait for further information about the incident, anyone with footage or pictures of the event is asked to contact the Metropolitan Police Department.
As with any breaking news story, more details will likely be published soon. Updates will be provided as appropriate, and anyone keen to stay up-to-date with the latest news can download the BBC News app or follow @BBCBreaking on Twitter
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