UK3 min(s) read
Published 14:34 03 Aug 2026 GMT
Influencer and former X Factor contestant Gabrielle Carrington has denied murdering a social media influencer by running her over with a car outside a London nightclub.
The 29-year-old was arrested on suspicion of attempted murder, grievous bodily harm (GBH), dangerous driving, and drink driving following the incident.
She allegedly struck social media creator Klaudia Zakrzewska, known online as Klaudiaglam, outside the Inca nightclub on Argyll Street, Soho, at 4:30AM on April 19.
Videos of the incident circulated online, showing a woman getting into a black car before it accelerated forward and hit Zakrzewska, who went under the vehicle.
Carrington was initially charged with attempted murder, but this was changed to murder after Zakrzewska died as a result of her injuries on April 25.
The Mancunian appeared at the Old Bailey, the Central Criminal Court of England and Wales, via video link from Bronzefield prison on Monday (August 3).
The defendant appeared wearing a low-cut black outfit and her long black hair pulled back.
She was not represented in court by a barrister, instead representing herself during the plea hearing.
Judge Sarah Whitehouse KC asked if she was happy to go ahead without a lawyer, to which she said she didn't want to represent herself “for the foreseeable,” as reported by The Standard.
“As I’m not represented, I am happy to give a plea today even though I am not represented,” Carrington stated.
The 2013 X Factor finalist pleaded not guilty to murder and a second charge of causing grievous bodily harm with intent to security guard Anoush Chyche, who was left with life-changing injuries and was taken to the hospital.
Carrington was not asked to enter a plea to a third charge of driving with excess alcohol.
Speaking about who would represent her at the trial, she explained: “This is my life. This is the toughest decision I have to make.”
The judge confirmed that she would try the case at Old Bailey from January 5, while setting a pre-trial hearing for August 11 and October 9.
While in court, Carrington interacted with both the judge and prosecutor Crispin Aylett KC in court while writing notes on a pad of paper.
Judge Whitehouse remanded the defendant into custody, but ordered that she be brought to the Old Bailey for the next hearing.
It is alleged that Carrington arrived to the venue in her car and had an argument with a male as she got out.
This soon escalated, with more people becoming involved, as security attempted to ease tensions.
When the influencer got back into her car to drive off, she sharply mounted the pavement, allegedly striking Zakrzewska.
The vehicle also allegedly struck Chyche, who was also on the pavement, and when the car reversed, Zakrzewska could be seen under the vehicle, lying still on the ground.
First responders got to the scene at 5AM, noticing people shouting outside Inca nightclub, as Zakrzewska died in hospital within a week and Chyche was left with severe injuries.
Court charges state that Carrington had 61 microgrammes of alcohol per 100 millilitres of breath when she tested after the incident.
