Seven pedestrians were injured when a car drove into them
Sandhu Ponnachan spoke only to confirm his name, address and date of birth at the short hearing at Southern Derbyshire Magistrates’ Court(Image: PA)
A 36-year-old Alvaston man has appeared in court following an alleged hit-and-run which saw multiple people injured in Derby city centre.
Dressed in a grey sweatshirt and jogging bottoms, Sandhu Ponnachan spoke only to confirm his name, address and date of birth at the short hearing at Southern Derbyshire Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday, April 1.
Prosecutor Seema Mistry told the hearing that the defendant accepts he was the driver of the car and had travelled from his home and into the city centre, where his Suzuki Swift allegedly mounted the pavement and struck a number of pedestrians.
Judge Jonathan Taaffe asked her: “Is it the crown’s case that he deliberately drove at them using the car as a weapon?”
She replied: “It is. He accepts he was the driver of the vehicle. He has no previous convictions.
“In interview he said he was coming into the city to buy pizza.”
Judge Taaffe remanded him into custody and sent the case to Derby Crown Court, where he will next appear on April 29.
Forensic officers pictured in Derby city centre on Sunday, March 29.(Image: Emma Trimble / SWNS)
The accused, of Chariot Close, has been charged with six counts of assault occasioning grievous bodily harm with intent, one count of attempted GBH with intent, one count of dangerous driving, and one count of possession of a bladed article.
Seven people were injured – some seriously – after a Suzuki Swift was in collision with a number of pedestrians in Friar Gate at about 9.30pm on Saturday, March 28.
Derbyshire police said all seven were taken to hospital with serious but not life-threatening injuries and that four people have since been discharged from hospital.
Ponnachan, who lives in Derby but is originally from India, was arrested shortly after in Station Approach.
In a statement released on charge, late on March 31, Chief Superintendent Emma Aldred said: “This incident has, naturally, sent shockwaves through the community of Derby and the county as a whole.
“My thoughts, and those of the wider force, remain with each of the seven injured people, their families, and witnesses at the scene.
“I would like to reiterate my thanks to all the people that have assisted our investigation – the public, partner agencies, local businesses and also the media and wider community for their patience and understanding as we have worked to seek a charge.
A police presence has remained on Friar Gate in the morning of Monday, March 30.
“While today’s charge is positive news, and one that I hope brings a degree of reassurance, the investigation into the incident continues and I would once again appeal for anyone who has any information to come forward.
“We are still very keen to hear from anyone who may have CCTV, dashcam, or mobile phone footage that could assist our enquiries and would urge you to contact us via the details below, if you have not already done so.
“As a final word, now that charges have been made I’d ask for the cooperation of the public to allow the judicial process to continue without any speculation online or elsewhere that could impede the pursuit of justice for all those affected.”
Janine McKinney of the Crown Prosecution Service, said: “The Crown Prosecution Service has decided to prosecute Sandhu Ponnachan with six counts of six counts of Section 18 GBH with intent, one count of attempted Section 18 GBH with intent, one count of dangerous driving, and one count of possession of a bladed article following a police investigation into the incident in Derby on Saturday evening.
“Our prosecutors have worked to establish that there is sufficient evidence to bring the case to court and that it is in the public interest to pursue criminal proceedings.
“We have worked carefully with Derbyshire Police as they carried out their investigation.”
Anyone who is able to help with the investigation is asked to contact the force, quoting incident 1131 of March 28.
You can also anonymously contact the independent charity CrimeStoppers on 0800 555 111 or by visiting the CrimeStoppers website.