"A motorist has admitted hitting and killing a man with his car on Christmas Day in London's West End. Anthony Gilheaney, 31, is on trial at the Old Bailey accused of murdering 25-year-old Aidan Chapman during a series of unprovoked attacks in which he used his high-powered Mercedes to mow people down. Mr Gilheaney, from Harlow in Essex, denies murder but has admitted the manslaughter of Mr Chapman, as well as unlawful wounding, causing grievous bodily harm and assault in relation to four others."
"Giving evidence last week, Mr Gilheaney said he was not in control of the vehicle and he did not intend to hurt anyone. He told the court he had been drunk and had been driving "way too fast" the wrong way down a one-way street. Mr Gilheaney added: "I'm a coward for driving and leaving a poor young man to die. "I was a coward. I should have stopped there and then. I panicked and had to get away.""
"The prosecution allege he targeted some of the pedestrians that he hit for racist and homophobic reasons."
Anthony Gilheaney admitted manslaughter for the death of 25-year-old Aidan Chapman after a series of incidents in which he used his Mercedes to strike pedestrians in London's West End on Christmas Day. He denies murder but has admitted manslaughter, unlawful wounding, causing grievous bodily harm and assault relating to four other victims. One victim, Arif Khan, was alleged to have been knocked over and physically attacked after being called a racial slur. Two others and a couple returning from Midnight Mass were injured. Mr Chapman died from his injuries on New Year's Eve. Mr Gilheaney told the court he had been drunk and driving "way too fast" the wrong way and said he panicked and left the scene. The prosecution allege some attacks were motivated by racist and homophobic reasons and have not accepted lesser pleas.
Read at www.bbc.com
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