Man Remanded Into Custody After Pedestrians Struck by Car in Derby
A 36-year-old man has been remanded into custody after appearing in court, accused of dangerous driving following an incident where a car hit pedestrians in Derby, injuring seven people. Sandhu Ponnachan, of Chariot Close, Alvaston, faced charges at Southern Derbyshire Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday.
Charges and Court Appearance
Ponnachan was charged with 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. During the hearing, which lasted approximately five minutes, he showed no emotion and spoke only to confirm his personal details, including his address.
He was dressed in a plain grey T-shirt, grey jogging bottoms, and light blue croc-type footwear, wearing glasses. There was no application for bail, and he was remanded in custody until an appearance at Derby Crown Court scheduled for April 29.
Incident Details and Injuries
The incident occurred around 9.30pm on Saturday outside the Bishop Blaise pub on Friar Gate in Derby city centre. A black Suzuki Swift mounted the pavement, striking pedestrians. The victims included four men and three women, aged between 36 and 52.
Some of the injuries were serious, according to reports. Derbyshire Constabulary stated that four of the seven injured individuals have since been discharged from hospital, while others remain under medical care.
Arrest and Background
Ponnachan, who is originally from India but now resides in Derby, was arrested just seven minutes after the incident. His swift apprehension highlights the rapid response by local authorities to the dangerous event.
The case has drawn attention due to the severity of the charges and the number of people affected. As the legal proceedings continue, the community awaits further developments in this distressing episode.
