A man accused of injuring seven people by driving a car into pedestrians in Derby has appeared in court, where he was remanded into custody. Sandhu Ponnachan, 36, of Chariot Close, Alvaston, faced charges at Southern Derbyshire Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday, including six counts of causing grievous bodily harm with intent, one count of attempted grievous bodily harm, and one count of possession of a bladed article.
Incident Details and Injuries
The incident occurred on Saturday night at approximately 9.30pm outside the Bishop Blaise pub on Friar Gate in Derby. A black Suzuki Swift mounted the pavement, striking four men and three women aged between 36 and 52. Derbyshire Police reported that the injuries were serious but not life-threatening. As of Wednesday, four of the victims have been discharged from hospital, while the others continue to receive medical care.
Court Proceedings and Charges
During the brief hearing, which lasted around five minutes, Ponnachan showed no emotion and spoke only to confirm his personal details. District Judge Jonathan Taaffe addressed him directly, stating that the charges relate to an incident on March 28th, where he is accused of driving dangerously and unlawfully causing grievous bodily harm. Given the severity of the charges, the case will be transferred to Derby Crown Court, with Ponnachan remanded in custody until his next appearance on April 29th. No application for bail was made during the hearing.
Police Investigation and Community Response
Derbyshire Police arrested Ponnachan just seven minutes after the incident. Counter-terrorism police assisted in the investigation, although authorities clarified that this does not mean the incident is being treated as terrorism. In a statement following the court hearing, Chief Superintendent Emma Aldred expressed that the event has sent shockwaves through the Derby community and beyond. She announced that extra patrols will be deployed in the city this weekend to offer reassurance, particularly during the bank holiday period.
Chief Superintendent Aldred emphasised: "My thoughts, and those of the wider force, remain with each of the seven injured people, their families, and witnesses at the scene."
Prosecution and Legal Proceedings
Janine McKinney of the Crown Prosecution Service confirmed that prosecutors have worked diligently with Derbyshire Police to establish sufficient evidence for the case. She stated that it is in the public interest to pursue criminal proceedings, highlighting the collaborative effort between the CPS and police during the investigation. The legal process will continue as the case moves to crown court, where more detailed proceedings are expected to unfold.
