Man appears in court charged with murdering chef

A man has appeared in court charged with murdering a top chef after allegedly punching him multiple times in the head near Notting Hill Carnival.

Omar Wilson, 31, attended the Old Bailey on Monday accused of attacking Mussie Imnetu outside the Dr Power restaurant in Queensway on 26 August.

The 41-year-old was found unconscious with a head injury at about 23:22 BST and received immediate medical attention at the scene before being taken to hospital where he died on 30 August.

Mr Wilson was originally charged with causing grievous bodily harm but the charge was changed to murder following Mr Imnetu's death, the court heard.

Julian Winship, prosecuting, outlined the facts of the case, alleging Mr Wilson "headbutted" Mr Imnetu after the two interacted "in the area" of the carnival.

Around 70 seconds later, Mr Wilson allegedly "punched the deceased five times to his head" and continued "punching him to the head" after he fell to the floor, Mr Winship told the court.

Mr Wilson, of Napier Road, Leytonstone, spoke only to confirm his name and date of birth in the short hearing.

He was remanded into custody ahead of a plea and trial preparation hearing at the same court on 25 November.

A provisional trial date was also set for 3 February next year, with a time estimate of two weeks.

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 13:00 on 26 August, wearing a blue T-shirt and black jeans.

Mr Imnetu is said to have later bought a white baseball cap before arriving alone about 22:30 at the Dr Power restaurant which was busy with carnival attendees.

The Arts Club Dubai website says Mr Imnetu had worked under celebrity chefs Gordon Ramsay, Marcus Wareing and Alain Ducasse.

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