A Swedish chef who worked under the likes of Gordon Ramsay is fighting “catastrophic brain injuries” in hospital after an alleged attack near Notting Hill Carnival on Monday.
Dubai-based Mussie Imnetu, 41, suffered bleeding on the brain and multiple cardiac arrests and remains in a critical condition, prosecutor Rhianne Neil told a court on Friday.
He was reportedly left unconscious in Queensway, near the carnival, late on Monday night, hours after leaving a private members’ club.
Omar Wilson, 31, of Napier Road in Leytonstone was arrested in the early hours of Wednesday on suspicion of attempted murder.
On Thursday he was charged with causing grievous bodily harm (GBH) with intent and on Friday appeared at Westminster Magistrates’ Court.
Wilson appeared in court wearing a grey tracksuit. He spoke only to confirm his name age and address.
Due to the nature of the charge, district judge Daniel Sternberg sent the case to the crown court for a plea and trial preparation hearing.
Wilson was remanded in custody and will next appear at Southwark Crown Court on September 27.
Mr Imnetu worked as the head chef at The Brasserie in The Arts Club and had worked under the likes of Gordon Ramsay, Alain Ducasse and Marcus Wareing.
He previously worked at the Oblix at the Shard and The Savoy Grill, as well as at The Arts Club in London, according to the private members’ club website.
He was visiting the UK from Dubai when the alleged attack happened.
Officers who were deployed as part of the Carnival policing operation became aware of Mr Imnetu shortly after 11.20pm on Bank Holiday Monday.
They provided emergency first aid until paramedics arrived.
The Swedish national had left The Arts Club on Dover Street shortly after 1pm on Monday.
He was alone and wearing a blue t-shirt and black jeans. He later bought a white baseball cap.
Mr Imnetu then arrived alone at Dr Power restaurant in Queensway around 10.30pm.
The restaurant was serving food from stalls outside and playing music while the venue and surrounding area was extremely busy with people who had been to Carnival.
The incident happened a day after an “innocent bystander” who was with her three-year-old child at the Carnival was stabbed as she tried to save a man who was being attacked.
Cher Maximen, 32, remains in a critical condition after she was stabbed on Sunday.
Shakiel Thibou, 20, from west London, appeared at Westminster Magistrates Court on Wednesday charged with attempted murder, violent disorder and possession of an offensive weapon.
Two other men, who are his brothers, also appeared alongside him in the dock in connection with the same incident.
Sheldon Thibou, 24, from Hammersmith has been charged with violent disorder, possession of a stun gun and assaulting an emergency worker.
Meanwhile Shaeim Thibou, 22, of West Kensington has been charged with violent disorder and assaulting an emergency worker. He indicated a not guilty plea to the charges.
Detectives from the Met’s Specialist Crime Command continue to appeal for anyone with information about the attack on Mr Imnetu, or his movements earlier on Monday, to come forward.
