A motorist accused of leaving a "trail of carnage" in London's West End on Christmas Day last year deliberately tried to hit a baby during a series of drink-fuelled attacks, a court has been told.
The Sequence of Alleged Attacks
The Old Bailey trial of 30-year-old Anthony Gilheaney heard that the incidents began in the early hours of 25 December 2024. Prosecutor Crispin Aylett KC told jurors that Gilheaney "deliberately drove across the street intending to kill someone".
The court was told Gilheaney first reversed into a man, Arif Khan, on Archer Street. He then allegedly rammed an Uber driver's vehicle before targeting Miguel Waihrich and his partner, Marcelo Basbus-Garcia, as they walked hand in hand on Great Windmill Street after attending Midnight Mass at St James's Church in Piccadilly.
CCTV shown to the jury allegedly captured the moment Gilheaney drove towards the couple, hitting Mr Basbus-Garcia and knocking him to the ground. Mr Waihrich ran to his partner, who was lying in the road with blood on his head and face.
Attempt on a Baby and Further Violence
After this, Gilheaney allegedly mounted the pavement on Great Windmill Street and nearly crashed into a family. The family included Ayyaz Mahmood, his relatives, and two small children, one of whom was in a pram.
Mr Aylett KC stated that Gilheaney stopped alongside the family, his window down. When Mr Mahmood pointed at the pram and said, "This is a little baby," the defendant was abusive and then tried to reach out to hit the baby. Mr Mahmood believed the man was "mad."
The prosecutor said the family escaped unharmed, but Gilheaney was "not yet finished." He allegedly drove back towards the injured couple. As Mr Waihrich crouched over his unconscious partner, he saw the same car driving straight at them. The vehicle struck Mr Waihrich, throwing him backwards, before Gilheaney drove off.
A Fatal Collision and Charges
The rampage continued onto Shaftesbury Avenue, where Gilheaney is accused of hitting 25-year-old Aidan Chapman and his friend Tyrone Itorho as they crossed the road. Mr Chapman was hit full-on and suffered catastrophic brain damage. He died in hospital on New Year's Eve.
The prosecution alleges that some victims, including Mr Khan, Mr Basbus-Garcia, and Mr Waihrich, were targeted for racist and homophobic reasons.
Anthony Gilheaney denies one count of murder, one count of wounding with intent, three counts of attempted murder, two counts of causing grievous bodily harm with intent, and one count of attempting to cause grievous bodily harm. The court heard he has already admitted to a charge of dangerous driving. The trial continues.
