An X Factor finalist and social media influencer is facing attempted murder charges after a car crashed into pedestrians in Soho, leaving a security guard with life-changing injuries and a fellow influencer in critical condition.
Gabrielle Carrington, 29, known online as RIELLEUK, appeared at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday charged with attempted murder, grievous bodily harm with intent, actual bodily harm, dangerous driving and drink driving. The court heard that Carrington, of Broadfield Road, Manchester, allegedly recorded 61 microgrammes of alcohol per 100 millilitres of breath – nearly double the legal limit of 35. She did not enter a plea and was remanded in custody. Her next hearing is scheduled for May 19 at the Old Bailey.
During the brief hearing, Carrington made a heart sign towards the court sketch artist and her family in the gallery. The Crown Prosecution Service has stressed that proceedings are active and warned against any reporting or commentary that could prejudice the defendant’s right to a fair trial.
Altercation and sequence of events
The collision took place in the early hours of Sunday, April 19, at approximately 4:30am on Argyll Street, Soho, close to the Inca nightclub and the London Palladium theatre. According to investigators, an argument broke out between Carrington and fellow influencer Klaudia Zakrzewska, known online as Klaudiaglam, outside the club. Unconfirmed social media rumours have linked the dispute to a disagreement involving a UK drill rapper.
Carrington is alleged to have then got into her black Mercedes and driven onto the pavement, striking pedestrians. CCTV footage reportedly shows her arriving in Argyll Street, re-entering the vehicle, and mounting the kerb.
Zakrzewska was hit and dragged under the car, becoming pinned between the vehicle and a metal bike rack. A 56-year-old security guard, Anoosh Chaichy, was struck while attempting to move his e-scooter. Witnesses described a chaotic scene with shouting and a “melee”. The vehicle then allegedly reversed. Graphic footage of the incident has been circulating online; police have urged the public not to share it out of respect for the victims and to avoid prejudicing the criminal proceedings.
The victims
Klaudia Zakrzewska, a Polish-born influencer with more than 267,000 followers on Instagram and around 50,000 on TikTok, remains in a critical, life-threatening condition in hospital. Her mother issued a plea for prayers for her recovery and addressed false rumours of her death that had spread on social media. Zakrzewska’s online content often focuses on lifestyle, fashion and her body transformation journey.
Anoosh Chaichy, from Edgware, north London, has sustained “life-changing injuries”. He was described by friends as a fitness fanatic and a hard worker who kept the peace while working as a security guard for Martello Hall, a cocktail bar and banquet hall in Hackney. He was seen slumped against a wall with a pool of blood by his feet after the crash.
A third victim, Latisha Armstrong, a woman in her 30s, suffered minor injuries including a fractured scaphoid bone in her wrist.
Police appeal
Detective Chief Inspector Alison Foxwell, of Specialist Crime South, is leading the investigation. She said: “As our enquiries continue, our thoughts are with those injured and their loved ones. While this incident took place in the early hours of the morning, venues in the area were still open, and we believe a number of people will have seen what happened. I would urge anyone who witnessed the collision, or any activity prior to it that they feel may be of relevance, to come forward. The information you have – however minor you believe it may be – could be of crucial importance to investigators.”
The incident is not being treated as terrorism-related. Anyone with information can upload footage or details to the major incident portal, call police on 101 quoting reference 3374/19APR or 1404/19APR, or contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
Carrington rose to prominence in 2013 as a member of the girl group Miss Dynamix on The X Factor. She also had a minor role in the 2019 film Blue Story and has built a following of more than 365,000 on Instagram. The court proceedings remain active, and the CPS has reminded the public that the defendant is entitled to a fair trial.
