RielleUK Denies Murdering Social Media Influencer Outside Soho Nightclub

A former X Factor live finalist RielleUK has entered a formal plea of not guilty to the murder of a prominent social media influencer who died six days after being struck by a vehicle outside a central London nightclub.

Gabrielle Carrington, 29, otherwise know as RielleUK appeared before the Old Bailey on Monday via a videolink from HMP Bronzefield to face allegations that she deliberately ran over 32-year-old Klaudia Zakrzewska following an incident in Soho earlier this year.

The prosecution alleges that the fatal collision occurred at approximately 4:30 am on April 19, directly outside the Inca nightclub on Argyll Street in Soho.

Ms Zakrzewska, a well-known TikTok and Instagram influencer who operated under the digital pseudonym "Klaudiaglam," sustained catastrophic injuries during the incident and succumbed to her wounds six days later in the hospital on April 25.

Carrington, residing at Broadfield Road, Manchester, was initially detained and charged by the Metropolitan Police with attempted murder; however, the Crown Prosecution Service elevated the charge to murder immediately following Ms Zakrzewska’s death.

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During the plea and trial preparation hearing, Carrington chose to appear unrepresented, interacting directly with the presiding judge, Judge Sarah Whitehouse KC, and the prosecuting barrister, Crispin Aylett KC.

The defendant, who maintains a significant online presence with over 365,000 Instagram followers under the handle "RIELLEUK," sat with a large pad of paper to take detailed notes throughout the legal arguments.

When questioned by Judge Whitehouse regarding her lack of legal counsel and whether she was entirely satisfied to proceed to a formal arraignment alone, Carrington confirmed that while she did not intend to represent herself "for the foreseeable" future, she was comfortable entering her pleas on this occasion.

Commenting on the ongoing process of selecting the defence team that will ultimately represent her at trial, Carrington told the court, "This is my life. This is the toughest decision I have to make."

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Standing in the secure videolink room, Carrington spoke clearly to enter firm pleas of not guilty to the count of murder and to a secondary charge of causing grievous bodily harm with intent.

The second indictment relates to injuries sustained during the same vehicle collision by a nightclub security guard, identified in court documents as Anoush Chyche.

The defendant was not asked by the clerk to enter a formal plea to a third outstanding charge on the indictment, which alleges driving a motor vehicle with excess alcohol.

The court heard that prior to the incident, Carrington was known to the public as a musician and digital content creator, having reached the live finals of ITV's The X Factor in 2013 as a member of the three-piece girl group Miss Dynamix.

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Legal bundles submitted during the hearing described her as a regular traveller to the United Arab Emirates.

Judge Whitehouse fixed a definitive trial date at the Old Bailey, scheduled to commence on January 5 next year.

To ensure the case remains on track, the court scheduled two subsequent pre-trial administrative hearings for August 11 and October 9 later this year.

Carrington was remanded in custody until the upcoming court dates, with Judge Whitehouse issuing an order ensuring the defendant will be produced in person at the Old Bailey for the next scheduled hearing.