Two men have appeared in court charged over separate incidents during the Notting Hill Carnival which led to the deaths of a man and a woman.
Omar Wilson, 31, attended the Old Bailey on Monday accused of attacking 41-year-old chef Mussie Imnetu outside the Dr Power restaurant in Queensway on 26 August.
Mr Imnetu, a top chef who is said to have worked under Gordon Ramsay and Marcus Wareing, was found unconscious with a head injury at around 11.22pm and received medical attention at the scene before being taken to hospital where he died on 30 August.
Wilson was originally charged with causing grievous bodily harm, but this was changed to murder following Mr Imnetu’s death, the court heard.
Julian Winship, prosecuting, alleged Wilson “headbutted” Mr Imnetu after the two interacted “in the area” of the carnival.
Around 70 seconds later, Wilson allegedly “punched the deceased five times to his head” and continued “punching him to the head” after he fell to the floor, Mr Winship told the court.
Wilson, of Napier Road, Leytonstone, spoke only to confirm his name and date of birth in the short hearing.
He was remanded in custody ahead of a plea and trial preparation hearing at the same court on 25 November. A provisional trial date was also set for 3 February next year.
Victim’s injuries were ‘unsurvivable’, prosecutor tells court
In a separate hearing, a 20-year-old man appeared in court charged with fatally stabbing a mother at the carnival.
Shakiel Thibou, of Masbro Road, Hammersmith, west London, was originally charged with the attempted murder of Cher Maximen – but is now accused of murder after she died from “unsurvivable” injuries on 31 August.
The court heard the 32-year-old victim had been attending the carnival’s family day on 25 August when she was stabbed in the groin.
Thibou appeared at the Old Bailey on Monday via video link from HMP Belmarsh.
Be the first to get Breaking News
Install the Sky News app for free
Read more on Sky News:
Japan’s controversial dolphin hunting season begins
At least 59 killed in Vietnam after powerful typhoon
Prosecutor Alistair Richardson told the court a fight broke out close to Ms Maximen and her group.
The mother tried to intervene in the fight and was stabbed in the area of her groin, Mr Richardson said.
She suffered a cardiac arrest and was taken to hospital, where she underwent two major operations.
The prosecutor added: “In summary, she was found to have extensive injuries and extensive blood loss. Those injuries proved to be unsurvivable.”
Thibou, who was remanded into custody ahead of a plea and trial preparation hearing at the same court on 28 November, is also charged with possessing a knife in a public place, and violent disorder.
