Killer driver says he was like a 'bat out of hell'

"Mr Gilheaney told the jury his driving was "dangerous and reckless" and he was "going down the wrong way of a one-way street and the car was a super car, a sports car. It was like a bat out of hell"."

"He was also drunk and "dazed", he said, as a friend had earlier given him a cannabis-spiked vape, and he was also on medication."

"Mr Gilheaney said he now "100% accepts" he must have hit them, but did not realise this at the time."

"He said the attack had affected his driving skills and there was "confusion" over the gears. He added: "I did not know what I was doing.""

On 25 December 2024 a high-powered Mercedes struck five pedestrians in London's West End, killing 25-year-old Aidan Chapman and seriously injuring four others. The driver, Anthony Gilheaney, 30, from Harlow, reported that he had been attacked earlier that night and lost control of the car. He admitted to driving dangerously while intoxicated and dazed after a cannabis-spiked vape and medication, and described confusion over the gears. He denied murder, homophobic targeting, and intent to harm, but said he now accepts he must have hit at least some victims despite not realising it at the time.

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