A motorist who deliberately drove into crowds of Christmas revellers in London's West End, killing a young father, has been convicted of murder.
A Night of Drunken Violence
Anthony Gilheaney, 31, from Harlow in Essex, launched a violent rampage in the early hours of Christmas Day last year after being thrown out of a nightclub on Shaftesbury Avenue. The Old Bailey heard that Gilheaney, in a drunken rage, punched two members of the public and racially abused another before getting into his car.
He then used his vehicle as a weapon, determined to inflict as much damage as possible. CCTV evidence showed him mounting the pavement at speed and driving on the wrong side of the road, targeting innocent people who were out celebrating.
Fatal Consequences and Swift Arrest
Gilheaney's actions had tragic results. He ploughed into five bystanders, including 25-year-old Aiden Chapman, who succumbed to his injuries on New Year's Eve. Four other men, aged between 23 and 58, were seriously injured.
Police were called to the scene around 12.45am on December 25. Approximately twenty minutes after the collision, City of London Police officers located and arrested Gilheaney in Lincoln’s Inn Fields. An intensive investigation was launched, piecing together the events from CCTV and witness statements.
Justice Served at the Old Bailey
Following a trial, the jury at the Old Bailey found Anthony Gilheaney guilty on Friday, 19 December. The convictions included:
- Murder
- Four counts of attempted murder
- Wounding with intent
He is scheduled to be sentenced at the same court on Friday, 19 January. During police interviews, Gilheaney claimed he had no memory of travelling to London or driving the car that night.
A Family's Heartbreaking Tribute
In a moving statement after the verdict, Aiden Chapman's family said: "No parent should have to go through the hellish trauma of losing a child... He has left us with a dark void in our lives that can never be filled. He took our only son from us."
They thanked the investigation team for their hard work and compassion during an immensely traumatic period.
Detective Chief Inspector Wayne Jolley, who led the investigation, stated: "Gilheaney got behind the wheel of his car in a drunken rage, determined to inflict as much damage as possible. He targeted innocent people... I hope that today’s conviction allows them to grieve knowing that justice has been served."
