Full Breakdown
Former X Factor Finalist Charged with Fatal Hit-and-Run in Soho
8/11/2026, 9:03:22 PM
Incident Overview
On 19 April, Gabrielle Carrington, a 29-year-old former X Factor finalist from Manchester, was charged with the murder of 32-year-old Klaudia Zakrzewska. The alleged incident occurred outside the Inca nightclub in Soho, central London, when a woman is said to have entered Carrington’s car, after which the vehicle lurched forward and struck Zakrzewska. Zakrzewska died from her injuries six days later.
Legal Proceedings at the Old Bailey
Carrington appeared before the Old Bailey on a Tuesday afternoon without a barrister. She told the court that representing herself would be “crazy” and indicated she would select a legal firm to act on her behalf. The judge granted her a seven-day period to confirm the representation, setting a deadline of 17 August.
Timeline of Key Dates
- 19 April – Alleged hit-and-run outside the Inca nightclub; Zakrzewska is injured.
- Later in April – Zakrzewska succumbs to injuries, confirming the fatal outcome.
- [Date of court appearance] – Carrington appears at the Old Bailey unrepresented and requests time to choose counsel.
- 17 August (scheduled) – Deadline by which Carrington must name the law firm that will represent her at trial.
Current Status and Upcoming Deadline
As of the latest hearing, Carrington remains in custody and has not yet appointed legal representation. The court’s order gives her until 17 August to confirm a firm, after which the case will proceed to trial. No further details about the prosecution’s evidence or potential defence strategy have been disclosed.
