Overview
- An Old Bailey jury found Gilheaney guilty of murder, two counts of attempted murder, wounding with intent and causing grievous bodily harm with intent, and acquitted him of one attempted murder charge.
- The court heard he used his Mercedes as a weapon in London’s West End, mounting pavements and striking pedestrians; 25-year-old Aiden Chapman died on New Year’s Eve from catastrophic brain injuries.
- Evidence showed he was drunk, with a blood-alcohol level tested hours later at more than one and a half times the legal limit, and that he drove at high speed as crowds fled.
- Prosecutors said he targeted victims with racist and homophobic hostility, including ramming Arif Khan after a racial slur and twice driving at couple Marcelo Basbus-Garcia and Miguel Waihrich.
- Police arrested him in Lincoln’s Inn Fields after a pursuit; reports highlighted his history of dangerous driving, prior disqualifications and lack of a valid licence at the time.