A man who described himself as a “monster” allegedly assaulted a prominent chef near the Notting Hill Carnival, leaving him gravely injured in the street before heading to a nightclub, a court was informed.
Omar Wilson, 31, reportedly struck and kicked Mussie Imnetu, 41, following an altercation outside the Dr Power restaurant in Queensway, west London, on the night of August 26, 2024, according to statements made at the Old Bailey.
Mr. Imnetu, a chef who had worked alongside Gordon Ramsay and Marcus Wareing, was transported to the hospital but passed away four days later without regaining consciousness, the jury was told.
Wilson, of Napier Road in Leytonstone, east London, has pleaded not guilty to murder.
Following the incident, it is alleged that Wilson confided in a friend, expressing regret and acknowledging that he had “crossed the line.”
In a message, he reportedly stated: “There’s a monster in me, man, and it sometimes comes out.
“I think I’ve messed up now, messed up everything.”
When questioned about his experience at the carnival, he allegedly responded, “I can’t lie. I did the hands ting (sic) and I think it’s a manslaughter,” as recounted to the jury.
Prosecutor Jacob Hallam KC explained that after the assault, while Mr. Imnetu lay dying on the ground, Wilson went to the Ministry of Sound nightclub.
The attack was captured on CCTV, starting with Wilson approaching Mr. Imnetu and headbutting him, according to Mr. Hallam’s account.
A minute later, Wilson reportedly struck Mr. Imnetu five times in the head, causing him to collapse.
Wilson continued to punch Mr. Imnetu multiple times and then kicked him in the head, the jury heard.
Mr. Hallam stated: “By that point, the defendant had struck him to the head more than a dozen times. Mr. Imnetu did not strike the defendant even once.”
As police arrived to assist Mr. Imnetu, Wilson was seen walking away, having left behind his sunglasses and keys, the jury was informed.
After his arrest on August 28, Wilson claimed to the police that he had hit the victim in “self-defense,” alleging that Mr. Imnetu was acting erratically, harassing women, and wielding a bottle.
When shown CCTV footage of the assault on Mr. Imnetu as he lay on the ground, Wilson reportedly remarked that it “seems excessive now,” according to the jury.
The trial at the Old Bailey has been postponed until Wednesday.
