A man has been charged with attempted murder after pedestrians were hit by a car in central London on Christmas Day.
Four people were taken to hospital, with one in critical condition, after reports of a car driving on the wrong side of the road in Shaftesbury Avenue on Wednesday (December 25) at 12.45am.
Anthony Gilheaney, 30, has been charged today (December 27) with four counts of attempted murder, serious injury by driving whilst disqualified, driving a motor vehicle dangerously and possession of a bladed article in a public place.
He has been remanded into police custody and is due to appear at Westminster Magistrates’ Court later today.
A police cordon stretched between the Gielgud Theatre, where the musical Oliver is performed, and Sondheim Theatre, home to Les Miserables.
Police at Shaftesbury Avenue in the early hours of December 27, days after the incident (Image: Joseph Reaidi / Newsquest)
Days later, Shaftesbury Avenue still remains shut both ways from Wardour Street to Rupert Street.
Deputy Assistant Commissioner Stuart Cundy said: “The suspect was arrested within minutes of his violent attack in the early hours of Christmas Day in Central London. Since then, investigators have worked tirelessly to build the case and have today charged Anthony Gilheaney with four counts of attempted murder.
“Our thoughts now are with the victims, one of which remains in critical condition in hospital.”