Charity worker ‘who beat Gordon Ramsay protege to death at Notting Hill Carnival’ tells court he acted in ‘self defence’

A CHARITY worker accused of beating a top chef to death at Notting Hill Carnival said he acted in "self defence", a court heard.

Omar Wilson, 31, punched Gordon Ramsay's protege Mussie Imnetu, 41, outside Dr Power restaurant in Queensway, west London on August 26 last year.

The defendant, who is on trial at the Old Bailey charged with murder, today told jurors: "I just regret that somebody's life was taken while I was trying to defend mine."

Mr Imnetu, who had worked under celebrity chefs Gordon Ramsay and Marcus Wareing, is understood to have been "heavily intoxicated" during the attack.

Jurors heard Wilson headbutted the chef before punching and kicking him as he lay on the floor.

The victim died four days later in hospital after failing to regain consciousness.

Wilson told police he saw the top chef become "aggressive" after he told Mr Imnetu to stop pestering some women.

"I thought he was going to attack me," he told officers in his interview.

He added: "To be honest I've been through many situations.

"I'm a good judge of character I think and besides he was just coming for me man.

"I've seen people die like that so I just went into fight or flight."

He told jurors today he felt "trapped" and "scared" in his altercation with Mr Imnetu.

The defendant said he thought the chef was holding a smashed bottle.

Wilson said: "I just regret that somebody's life was taken while I was trying to defend mine.

"I never imagined that would be on my conscience and now everything's different."

The charity worker said it still "haunts" him that he was unaware the police were so close to arriving before the horror unfolded.

Wilson denied wanting to seriously hurt Mr Imnetu and action out of anger.

He said: "I just wanted to stop the threat, just neutralise it."

The murder-accused told jurors he only reacted in the way he did because of the belief his victim had a bottle.

When he watched CCTV footage after the horror, it was clear there was no bottle.

He told the court: "It was just in my head and that's what made me feel like it was disgusting.

"Knowing what I know now it definitely seems excessive."

He denied intending to cause really serious harm.

Wilson, of Napier Road, Leytonstone, east London, denies murder.

The trial continues.