A man has pleaded not guilty to murdering a top chef, who worked under Gordon Ramsay and Marcus Wareing, after allegedly attacking him near Notting Hill Carnival.
Omar Wilson, 31, allegedly punched 41-year-old chef Mussie Imnetu multiple times in the head on 26 August, the second day of the carnival.
Mr Imnetu was found unconscious with a head injury at about 11.22pm and received medical attention at the scene – outside the Dr Power restaurant in Queensway, west London – before being taken to hospital, where he died on 30 August.
Wilson was originally charged with causing grievous bodily harm, but the charge was changed to murder following Mr Imnetu’s death.
The defendant, of Napier Road, Leytonstone, east London, appeared at the Old Bailey via video link from HMP Belmarsh on Monday to deny murdering the chef.
At a previous court hearing, prosecutor Julian Winship outlined the facts of the case, alleging Wilson attacked Mr Imnetu after the two interacted “in the area” of the carnival.
A trial date has been set for 3 February next year, and is estimate to last between two and three weeks.
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Mr Imnetu had been visiting the UK on business from Dubai where he lived and worked as a chef, the Metropolitan Police said.
He left The Arts Club, a private members-only club in Mayfair, on his own shortly after 1pm on 26 August.
Mr Imnetu is said to have later bought a white baseball cap before arriving alone at the Dr Power restaurant at about 10.30pm.
The Arts Club Dubai website says Mr Imnetu worked under celebrity chefs Ramsay and Wareing, as well as Alain Ducasse.
