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A man who caused fatal injuries to one person and seriously harmed four others during a drink-driven rampage in London’s West End on Christmas Day has been sentenced to life imprisonment, with a minimum term of 37 years. Anthony Gilheaney, aged 32, was found guilty last December of murder, attempted murder, wounding with intent, and causing grievous bodily harm following a trial at the Old Bailey.
The court heard how Gilheaney deliberately drove his powerful Mercedes into several individuals on Shaftesbury Avenue after an evening involving alcohol and altercations. Among those injured were a gay couple, two friends, and another man. One of the victims, 25-year-old Aidan Chapman, was propelled into the air by the impact and later died from catastrophic head injuries in hospital on New Year’s Eve. Gilheaney, who hails from Harlow, Essex, was acquitted of attempting to murder a third man but was convicted of causing him grievous bodily harm with intent.
Testimony revealed that following an incident outside a nightclub, Gilheaney verbally abused and struck Arif Khan before exiting his vehicle to physically assault him. After an intervention by a group of men, Gilheaney returned to his car and began mounting pavements, first driving at Marcelo Basbus-Garcia and his partner Miguel Waihrich. He narrowly missed a couple with a child in a pushchair before colliding with Aidan Chapman and his friend Tyrone Itorho. Police finally apprehended Gilheaney after a high-speed pursuit, with his car recorded traveling at over 90 mph near Covent Garden.
Throughout the trial, the prosecution argued that Gilheaney’s actions were fueled by racist and homophobic motivations. Victim impact statements read to the court included an emotional account from Chapman’s father, Darren, who described the immense grief he and his family faced. “I am left doubting my own prowess as a parent – that is what Anthony Gilheaney has done – he is a monster, he has shown no remorse, just narcissistic self-pity,” he said. Gilheaney, dressed in a blue suit and white shirt, appeared at times to weep during the hearing. Despite a long criminal history and no driving license or insurance, his defense counsel noted the remorse he expressed for the devastation caused. The judge acknowledged the lasting impact of Chapman’s death, while Gilheaney maintained, as he was led away, that he did not intend to kill
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