A self-confessed “monster” left a Dubai-based chef dying in the street near London's Notting Hill Carnival after attacking him, a court has heard.
Mussie Imnetu, 41, who had worked under chefs Gordon Ramsay and Marcus Wareing, was head chef at The Brasserie at the Arts Club Dubai and was visiting the UK on a business trip.
He had left a private members' club before he became involved in a row with Omar Wilson, 31, outside Dr Power restaurant in Queensway, west London, on the evening of August 26 last year, the Old Bailey was told.
Mr Wilson punched and kicked Mr Imnetu, the court heard. Prosecutor Jacob Hallam KC told jurors: “At the end of that altercation, Mr Imnetu was dying on the ground, and the defendant left and went clubbing in the Ministry of Sound.”
In the aftermath, Mr Wilson allegedly told an associate that he “crossed the line”. In a message, he allegedly said: “There’s a monster in me, man, and it’s just like sometimes it comes out. And I think I’ve messed up now, I’ve messed up, everything’s finished.”
Asked how the carnival was going, he replied: “Can’t lie … I think it’s a manslaughter,” jurors heard.
The violent incident was caught on CCTV and began when Mr Wilson approached Mr Imnetu and headbutted him, before punching him five times in the head, Mr Hallam said.
While Mr Imnetu was on the floor, Mr Wilson continued to kick him in the head, jurors heard. Mr Hallam said: “The defendant had, by that point, struck him to his head more than a dozen times. Mr Imnetu had struck the defendant not once.”
As nearby police moved to help Mr Imnetu, Mr Wilson walked away having dropped his sunglasses and keys at the scene, jurors were told. Mr Imnetu was taken to hospital and died four days later, never having regained consciousness.
Following his arrest on August 28, Mr Wilson told police he had struck the victim in “self defence”. He claimed Mr Imnetu was behaving erratically, harassing girls, and had a bottle.
On being shown CCTV of Mr Imnetu being assaulted on the ground, Mr Wilson said it “seems excessive now” and watching it was “disgusting”, jurors were told.
Mr Wilson, of Leytonstone, East London, has denied murder. The case continues.
