Gay Couple Allegedly Targeted During Deadly London Christmas Rampage
A couple on their way home from Midnight Mass were allegedly targeted in a violent attack on Christmas Day, leaving one man dead and others seriously injured, according to a BBC report. Anthony Gilheaney, 30, is on trial at the Old Bailey in London over a series of incidents in the West End on 25 December 2024. Prosecutors say he ran over five pedestrians, killing 25-year-old Aidan Chapman, and later tried to hit Marcelo Basbus-Garcia and his partner Miguel Waihrich with his car.
The night of terror unfolds.
Mr Waihrich described seeing Mr Gilheaney drive directly at them a second time while his partner lay unconscious and covered in blood. “I remember his eyes and the position of his hands on the wheel. I remember his face and me crying for him to stop, and he didn’t,” he told the court.
The couple had just left Midnight Mass in Piccadilly and were walking home through Great Windmill Street when they encountered Mr Gilheaney, who was shirtless and shouting in the middle of the road. They initially waited for him to get back into his car before continuing. Moments later, Mr Gilheaney allegedly reversed at high speed, causing panic among pedestrians.
In the chaos, the couple became separated, and Mr Basbus-Garcia was hit and thrown to the ground, suffering a head injury and fractured collarbone. Mr Waihrich ran to his partner’s side, crouching to shield him as the car approached again. He took the impact of the second hit, breaking his elbow and injuring his knee. “I was very unsure if he was alive or not,” he said, recalling the shock and fear as they were taken to hospital.
Alleged homophobic intent.
Prosecutor Crispin Aylett KC told jurors the attack on the couple was motivated by homophobia. Another witness, Ayyat Mahmood, recalled seeing Mr Gilheaney attempt to hit him and his family, including his three-year-old niece in a pram. Mahmood described the driver’s aggression as terrifying, saying he “didn’t care about if she was a little baby.”
Following these incidents, Mr Gilheaney allegedly struck Mr Chapman and his friend Tyrone Itorho on Shaftesbury Avenue. Mr Chapman suffered catastrophic brain injuries and later died in hospital on New Year’s Eve. Mr Gilheaney denies one count of murder, three counts of attempted murder, and charges of grievous bodily harm and wounding.
The trial continues as the court examines the details of this Christmas Day rampage in London’s West End.
