A motorist who used his car as a weapon in a violent, drink-fuelled spree across London's West End on Christmas Day has been found guilty of murder.
A Night of Unprovoked Violence
Anthony Gilheaney, 31, from Harlow, Essex, was convicted at the Old Bailey on Friday for a series of attacks in the early hours of 25 December 2024. The jury found him guilty of murdering 25-year-old Aidan Chapman by deliberately driving his high-powered Mercedes into him.
Gilheaney was also convicted of attempting to murder Marcelo Basbus-Garcia and Tyrone Itorho, and of wounding Arif Khan with intent. He was cleared of attempting to murder Miguel Waihrich but found guilty of causing him grievous bodily harm with intent. The court heard the attacks were motivated by racism and homophobia.
The Christmas Day Rampage Unfolds
The violence began after Gilheaney left a nightclub. He started an argument with a stranger, punched another, and then attacked Hardeep Singh, a Sikh man, on Shaftesbury Avenue without provocation.
He then got into his car and shouted a racial slur at Arif Khan. When Mr Khan confronted him, Gilheaney drove at him, knocking him to the ground. He then got out and physically assaulted Mr Khan, kicking him while he was down.
After being beaten by a group including Mr Singh, Gilheaney got back into his car. He began driving erratically up and down the street, mounting the kerb and causing pedestrians to flee. He then deliberately targeted two couples:
- He drove at Marcelo Basbus-Garcia and his partner, Miguel Waihrich, who were holding hands after attending midnight mass.
- Further along Shaftesbury Avenue, he drove into Aidan Chapman and his friend, Tyrone Itorho.
Mr Chapman suffered catastrophic brain injuries and died in hospital on New Year's Eve.
Arrest, Trial, and Sentencing
Police spotted Gilheaney's dangerous driving and gave chase. He eventually jumped from his moving vehicle, letting it crash into a signpost. Officers later found him passed out in Lincoln's Inn Fields in Holborn.
Initially, at the scene, he was tearful and apologetic to police, stating, "I hold my hands up... I am guilty." However, in later interviews, he claimed he could not remember the events and could not identify himself in CCTV footage.
During the trial, Gilheaney, who has never held a driving licence, admitted to a "shocking" motoring history, including using false number plates. He claimed a friend had spiked his vape with cannabis, making him angry, and that he had consumed up to six cans of a vodka cocktail mix.
He admitted to manslaughter and several assault charges but denied murder and intent charges. The jury rejected his defence. Anthony Gilheaney will be sentenced on 30 January.
