X-Factor finalist denies murder after car crash kills influencer outside London nightclub
A former X Factor finalist has denied murdering a social media influencer by running her over with a car. It was alleged that Gabrielle Carrington, 29, struck Klaudia Zakrzewska outside the Inca nightclub in Argyll Street, Soho, at 4.30am on 19 April.
Footage of the incident circulating online showed a woman getting into a black car before it surged forward and hit Ms Zakrzewska, who went under the vehicle. Carrington, of Broadfield Road, in Manchester, was initially charged with attempted murder but that was changed to murder after Ms Zakrzewska died from her injuries on 25 April.
Carrington appeared at the Old Bailey by videolink from Bronzefield prison on Monday (3 August). She was not represented in court by a barrister and represented herself during the plea hearing, however she said: "As I’m not represented, I am happy to give a plea today even though I am not represented.”
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Carrington pleaded not guilty to murder and a second charge of causing grievous bodily harm with intent to security guard Anoush Chyche. The defendant was not asked to enter a plea to a third charge of driving with excess alcohol.
On her decision on who would ultimately represent her at her trial, she said: “This is my life. This is the toughest decision I have to make.”
Judge Whitehouse confirmed she would try the case at the Old Bailey from 5 January. She was remanded into custody and ordered to be brought to the Old Bailey for her next hearing later this month.
During the incident in Soho, it is alleged that Carrington had arrived in Argyll Street in her car and had appeared to have a row with a male as she got out of the vehicle. The altercation escalated as more people became involved, prompting security to intervene.
Carrington allegedly got back into the car and moved off, sharply mounting the pavement, striking Ms Zakrzewska. The vehicle went on to strike a security member of staff, Mr Chyche, who was on the pavement, it is claimed. As it reversed, Ms Zakrzewska could be seen under the vehicle laying prone on the ground.
At 5am paramedics and police had attended the scene and found people shouting, many of whom had left the nearby Inca nightclub. Ms Zakrzewska died later in hospital and Mr Chyche, in his 50s, suffered 'life-changing injuries'.
According to the court charges, Carrington had 61 microgrammes of alcohol per 100 millilitres of breath when she tested after the incident.
The defendant, who has more than 365,000 followers on Instagram under the handle RIELLEUK, made it to the X Factor live finals in 2013 as one of the three members of Miss Dynamix. She was described in court as 'social media influencer' who makes regular trips to the United Arab Emirates.
Meanwhile, Ms Zakrzewska, who was in her 30s, was a TikTok and Instagram influencer who went by the name Klaudiaglam.
James Holt