A former X Factor finalist charged with an alleged road rage attack on a rival influencer had been in an ‘ongoing dispute’ with her alleged victim, a court heard.
Gabrielle Precious Carrington, 29, has been charged with attempting to murder Tiktok and Instagram personality Klaudiaglam – real name Klaudia Zakrzewska – in Soho, London, in the early hours of Sunday.
She has also been charged with grievous bodily harm with intent, actual bodily harm, dangerous driving and drink-driving.
She was not asked to enter pleas when she appeared in the dock at Westminster Magistrates’ Court today wearing a grey top and her long dark hair in twin plaits.
Carrington, of Broadfield Road in Manchester, spoke only to confirm her name and date of birth.
Members of her family and friends were seated in the packed public gallery.
She made a heart gesture with her hands as she was remanded into custody at the end of the 11-minute hearing.
Gabrielle Carrington has been charged with attempted murder, and appeared at Westminster Magistrates Court today
Carrington, 29, known as RIELLEUK, appeared in court today charged with attempted murder
Instagram and TikTok star Klaudiaglam – real name Klaudia Zakrzewska – is in a critical condition in hospital after the alleged attack
Ms Zakrzewska remains fighting for her life following the crash.
Victim Anoush Chyche, a man in his 50s, who was unlocking his e-scooter at the time, also sustained life-changing injuries in the same crash and was taken to hospital.
A third woman, Latisha Armstrong, aged in her 30s, was treated for minor injuries.
Outlining the case, prosecutor Rizwan Amin said: ‘There has been an ongoing dispute between the parties and the parties are known to each other.’
He said Carrington was ‘a known social media influencer’.
Describing the ‘melee’ that unfolded, he said: ‘During this time, she (Carrington), seemed to have an altercation with a male as she exited her car.
‘This altercation had escalated, involving several other members of the public.
‘When security tried to intervene, Miss Carrington was seen to re-enter the vehicle,’ which immediately moved off and ‘sharply’ mounted the pavement, he said.
‘During this manouvre, the vehicle had struck Miss Zakrzewska, who was dragged forward and was trapped beneath the vehicle.
‘The vehicle kept moving forward.
‘As the vehicle moved forward, it fully took her underneath the vehicle and struck Mr Anoush who was on the pavement.’
The scene on Argyll Street in Soho on Sunday
Ms Carrington was an X Factor finalist with the girl band Miss Dynamix in 2013
Ms Armstrong was also hit by the vehicle during this incident, suffering a broken bone in her wrist, the court heard.
According to the court charges, Carrington allegedly had 61 microgrammes of alcohol per 100 millilitres of breath when she tested after the incident.
The legal limit in England is 35 micrograms per 100 millilitres.
District judge Nina Tempia remanded Carrington in custody ahead of her next appearance, at the Old Bailey next month.
Police were called to the scene outside Inca nightclub in Argyll Street, Westminster, at 4.30am on Sunday following reports that a car had crashed into pedestrians.
The Metropolitan Police said the incident is not being treated as terror-related.
Ms Zakrzewska, who has more than 250,000 followers on Instagram, had posted videos from the nightclub on Sunday.
As a teenager, Carrington, also known as RIELLEUK, made it through to the live finals of The X Factor in 2013 as part of girl group Miss Dynamix after impressing Take That singer Gary Barlow and the other judges.
The season was won by singer Sam Bailey.
More recently, she has become an influencer, with 362,000 followers on Instagram.
A video circulating online showed the terrifying moment a black vehicle collided with a group of people.
Detective Chief Inspector Alison Foxwell, of Specialist Crime South, previously said: ‘As our enquiries continue, our thoughts are with those injured and their loved ones.
‘While this incident took place in the early hours of the morning, venues in the area were still open, and we believe a number of people will have seen what happened.
‘I would urge anyone who witnessed the collision, or any activity prior to it that they feel may be of relevance, to come forward.
‘The information you have – however minor you believe it may be – could be of crucial importance to investigators.’
Anyone with information is urged to contact the Met Police on 101, providing the reference 3374/19APR.
Information can also be provided to the independent charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.
