Gabrielle Carrington, 29, has pleaded not guilty to murdering influencer Klaudia Zakrzewska by running her over with a car outside the Inca nightclub in Soho, London, in the early hours of April 19.
Carrington, from Broadfield Road, Manchester, was initially charged with attempted murder in connection with the incident on Argyll Street at 4.30am. The charge was upgraded to murder after Ms Zakrzewska died from her injuries on April 25.
Plea hearing
At the Old Bailey on Monday, Carrington appeared via video link from Bronzefield prison. Wearing a low-cut black outfit with her long black hair tied back, she represented herself after having no barrister present in court. Asked if she was comfortable proceeding without legal representation, she told Judge Sarah Whitehouse KC she did not wish to represent herself 'for the foreseeable' but added: 'As I'm not represented, I am happy to give a plea today even though I am not represented.'
Carrington pleaded not guilty to murder and to causing grievous bodily harm with intent to security guard Anoush Chyche. She was not required to enter a plea to a third charge of driving with excess alcohol. On the question of who would ultimately represent her at trial, she said: 'This is my life. This is the toughest decision I have to make.'
Judge Whitehouse confirmed the trial would be heard at the Old Bailey from January 5. Pre-trial hearings were scheduled for August 11 and October 9. Carrington engaged directly with the judge and prosecutor Crispin Aylett KC during proceedings and took notes on a large writing pad. She was remanded in custody but directed to be brought to the Old Bailey for her next appearance.
The alleged incident
It is alleged that Carrington had pulled up in Argyll Street and appeared to have an argument with a man as she exited the car. The confrontation intensified as additional people became involved, leading security staff to step in. She allegedly returned to the car and drove off, suddenly mounting the kerb and hitting Ms Zakrzewska. The vehicle then struck security worker Mr Chyche, who was standing on the pavement, it is claimed. As the car reversed, Ms Zakrzewska could be seen lying motionless beneath the vehicle on the ground.
Video footage of the incident shared online shows a woman getting into a black car before it suddenly accelerates and strikes Ms Zakrzewska, who ends up beneath the vehicle. Emergency services arrived at 5am to find people screaming, many of whom had emerged from the nearby Inca nightclub. Ms Zakrzewska later died in hospital, while Mr Chyche, in his 50s, sustained life-changing injuries. The incident occurred on the Soho street that houses the London Palladium theatre.
Background
Carrington, who has more than 365,000 Instagram followers under the username RIELLEUK, reached the X Factor live finals in 2013 as a member of the trio Miss Dynamix. In court, she is referred to as a 'social media influencer' who frequently travels to the United Arab Emirates.
Ms Zakrzewska, who was in her 30s, was a TikTok and Instagram influencer known by the handle Klaudiaglam.
