Man Pleads Not Guilty to Chef’s Murder Following Notting Hill Carnival Incident

A man has entered a not guilty plea to the murder charge of a chef discovered with severe head trauma following the Notting Hill Carnival. Mussie Imnetu, aged 41, known for his work with chefs Gordon Ramsay and Marcus Wareing, was reportedly struck repeatedly by Omar Wilson, 31, outside the Dr Power restaurant located in Queensway, west London, on August 26. Mr. Imnetu, discovered unconscious around 23:30 BST, received on-site medical care before being transported to a hospital, where he passed away on August 30. Initially, Mr. Wilson faced a charge of causing grievous bodily harm, but this charge was subsequently upgraded to murder after Mr. Imnetu’s demise. The defendant, whose address is Napier Road, Leytonstone, east London, appeared at the Old Bailey on Monday via video link from HMP Belmarsh to formally enter his plea of not guilty. During an earlier court proceeding, prosecution barrister Julian Winship claimed that Mr. Wilson “headbutted” Mr. Imnetu following an interaction between the two “in the area” of the carnival. Approximately 70 seconds afterward, Mr. Wilson reportedly “punched the deceased five times to his head” and proceeded to “punch him to the head” even after he had fallen to the ground, according to Mr. Winship’s statement to the court. The Metropolitan Police stated that Mr. Imnetu was in the UK on a business visit from Dubai, his place of residence and work. He departed The Arts Club, an exclusive private members’ club in Mayfair, alone shortly after 13:00 BST on August 26, dressed in a blue T-shirt and black jeans. Mr. Imnetu reportedly purchased a white baseball cap subsequently, prior to his solitary arrival at the Dr Power restaurant, which was crowded with carnival participants, at approximately 22:30 BST. According to The Arts Club Dubai website, Mr. Imnetu had worked alongside renowned chefs Ramsay and Wareing, in addition to Alain Ducasse. A trial is scheduled to commence on February 3, 2025.