Driver admits killing man in Christmas Day crash
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.
The prosecution has not accepted these lesser pleas and the trial will continue.
It is alleged Mr Gilheaney knocked over Arif Khan with his car, called him a racial slur, and got out of his vehicle to physically attack him on the ground.
He then returned to his car and drove at other pedestrians, the prosecution alleges.
Marcelo Basbus-Garcia and his partner Miguel Waihrich who were returning from Midnight Mass, and Mr Chapman's friend Tyrone Itorho were all injured.
Mr Chapman died from his injuries on New Year's Eve.
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."
Mr Gilheaney previously admitted dangerous driving, the jury has been told.
The prosecution allege he targeted some of the pedestrians that he hit for racist and homophobic reasons.
The trial continues.
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