Gabrielle Carrington, a former X Factor finalist, has been charged with attempted murder after her car struck three pedestrians outside a London nightclub, leaving one woman in a critical condition.
Carrington, 35, appeared at Westminster Magistrates Court on Monday charged with attempted murder, grievous bodily harm with intent, actual bodily harm, dangerous driving, and drink driving. The charges stem from an incident outside the Inca nightclub in London's Soho district at around 4:30 am on Sunday. According to multiple reports, Carrington was remanded in custody following the hearing.
The three pedestrians struck by Carrington's Mercedes have been identified as Klaudia Zakrzewska, 30, Anoosh Chaichy, 59, and Latisha Armstrong, 35. According to multiple reports, Zakrzewska remains in a life-threatening condition in hospital. Chaichy, a Citadel Securities employee from north London, suffered serious lacerations to his leg and underwent skin graft surgery; a friend said he was hit from behind while unlocking his e-scooter after his shift and has no family in the UK, as they are mostly in Iran. Armstrong sustained minor wrist injuries and was treated at the scene. The attempted murder charge relates specifically to Zakrzewska, the grievous bodily harm charge to Chaichy, and the actual bodily harm charge to Armstrong, according to multiple reports.
Prosecutor Rizwan Amin told the court that there was an ongoing dispute between the parties and that they are known to each other. CCTV evidence presented by the prosecution showed Carrington having an altercation with a male before re-entering her vehicle and mounting the pavement, striking Zakrzewska. A video on X reportedly shows Carrington arguing and clashing with Zakrzewska before getting into a black Mercedes and hitting her, and that the vehicle reversed over Zakrzewska, leaving her lying still on the ground. Authorities believe Carrington was the driver seen in the video, police said. The argument reportedly started inside the nightclub and later moved outside.
Carrington, known online as 'rielleuk', has over 360,000 Instagram followers and a public social media presence sharing posts about luxury travel and designer items. Zakrzewska, who uses the name 'klaudiaglam', has around 260,000 followers. In a post from April 7, Carrington is seen standing next to a black Mercedes similar to the one involved in the crash. Carrington reached the final of The X Factor in 2013 as part of the group Rough Copy, according to multiple reports.
Detective Chief Inspector Alixson Foxwell of the Metropolitan Police urged witnesses to come forward. Police are asking witnesses to come forward, but have not confirmed Zakrzewska's condition beyond saying she is in a critical state. Several questions remain unanswered, including the nature of the dispute between Carrington and Zakrzewska, whether Carrington intentionally drove into the victims, and whether any other individuals were involved in the altercation before the car hit the pedestrians. Carrington's defense or explanation for her actions has not been made public.