A driver who killed a young man and injured several others in a “drunken rage” last Christmas Day has today been convicted of murder.
Anthony Gilheaney, 31 (13.12.1994) of Longfield, Harlow, was found guilty of murder, attempted murder and wounding with intent on Friday, 19 December following a trial at the Old Bailey.
Detective Chief Inspector Wayne Jolley, who led the investigation said: “Gilheaney got behind the wheel of his car in a drunken rage, determined to inflict as much damage as possible.
“He targeted innocent people, who were out celebrating Christmas Day and killed 25-year-old Aiden Chapman.
“Gilheaney was swiftly arrested, and our officers have worked relentlessly to hold him accountable for his actions. Throughout the investigation, he has refused to acknowledge the seriousness of his offences, making every attempt to portray himself as a troubled victim. I commend the jury for seeing through this act.
“As we approach one year since the horrendous events of that morning, we continue to keep Aiden’s family in our thoughts and I hope that today’s conviction allows them to grieve knowing that justice has been served.”
On Wednesday, 25 December at 00:45hrs police were called to Shaftesbury Avenue, W1 following reports of a collision and a car driving on the wrong side of the road.
Officers attended the location with the London Ambulance Service who took four pedestrians to hospital. Aiden tragically died as a result of his injuries on New Year’s Eve.
Driver Gilheaney was located in Lincoln’s Inn Fields by City of London Police around 20 minutes after the collision and arrested.
An investigation was launched which involved analysing the events leading up to the collision.
CCTV showed Gilheaney inside a nightclub on Shaftesbury Avenue, before staff asked him to leave. He then got into an argument with people outside the club, punching two members of the public.
As he returned to his car on Archer Street, Gilheaney began to racially abuse another member of the public before getting into his vehicle and driving into him. Gilheaney continued his rampage, driving the car at four additional men – aged between 23 and 58 – causing serious injury, which resulted in the charges of attempted murder.
He continued to use his car as a weapon, mounting the pavement on Shaftesbury Avenue before colliding with members of the public and fatally injuring Aiden.
In police interview, Gilheaney claimed that he couldn’t remember travelling to London that day and had no recollection of being in the car.
He was charged on Friday, 27 December with four counts of attempted murder, causing serious injury by driving while disqualified, driving a motor vehicle dangerously and possession of a bladed article in a public place. Following Aiden’s death, Gilheaney was further charged with murder in January 2025.
He will appear at the Old Bailey to be sentenced on Friday, 19 January.
Following the conviction, Aiden Chapman’s family paid tribute to him and thanked the investigation team, saying: “No parent should have to go through the hellish trauma of losing a child, words cannot describe the pain and anguish Anthony Gilheaney has caused us by his evil actions.
“No amount of justice or prison time will ever be enough to compensate for our loss.
“Gilheaney has taken the best part of us. He has left us with a dark void in our lives that can never be filled.
“He took our only son from us. Something we will never get over. Something we will never forgive.
“We would like to thank the investigation team for their hard work and professionalism in bringing Gilheaney to justice but also thank them for their support and genuine compassion during this very traumatic time.”
