A high-profile chef has told a court he does not pretend to be innocent after a drunken driving incident left a British intern with catastrophic, life-altering injuries.
A Night That Ended in Tragedy
During the first day of his trial in Antwerp, celebrity chef Nick Bril addressed the court, stating: "I am not here to pretend to be an innocent person or to act as if I am." He added that not a day passes without him thinking about the events of January 8, 2024.
The incident occurred in the early hours in the private staff car park of Bril's two-Michelin-star restaurant, The Jane. After a New Year's staff party, Bril had consumed a significant amount of alcohol, including wine, two Negroni cocktails, two beers, and several tequila shots.
The victim, Joe Claridge, had also been drinking while waiting for a taxi and was lying on the ground. Prosecutors stated that Bril, behind the wheel of his Land Rover Defender, first ran over Claridge while reversing, then drove forward over him again.
Critical Delay and Legal Arguments
The court heard that Bril waited for nine minutes before calling emergency services. Prosecutors argued that a sober driver would have seen Claridge, describing him as a "visible obstacle." They also highlighted that surveillance footage showed Claridge moving, insisting Bril must have realised he had hit someone.
"He told a passing jogger that someone who was extremely drunk was on the ground. He didn't say he had run him over," prosecutors told the court. A breath test taken two hours after the crash showed Bril had 1.75 promille of alcohol in his blood.
Bril's defence lawyer, Omar Souidi, argued for an acquittal, claiming his client had not seen Claridge. "Slow action, not perfect action, is not the same as no action," Souidi said, adding that Bril stayed at the scene and cooperated.
Life-Altering Consequences and Prosecution's Demand
Joe Claridge was left critically injured, spending six weeks in a coma and ultimately losing both his legs. Belgian prosecutors are seeking an 18-month jail sentence, a three-month driving ban, and a €4,400 fine for the chef.
In a prepared statement in English, intended in case the victim was present, Bril said he respected Claridge and could "only imagine" what the last few years had been like for him. However, the investigation uncovered a message Bril allegedly sent to a staff WhatsApp group after the incident, which read: "Guys, I just finished up with our new intern. Complete KO... I don't think we'll keep Joe as an intern."
As the trial continues, the case highlights the devastating and permanent consequences of drink-driving, even in a private car park, with a young man's life irrevocably changed.
