An Indian-origin man faces charges of dangerous driving and grievous bodily harm after a car incident outside a Derby pub left seven people injured, sparking a police investigation and community concern.
Key Points
- Sandhu Ponnachan, an Indian-origin man, has been charged with dangerous driving and grievous bodily harm after a car incident outside a Derby pub.
- Seven people were injured in the incident, with some suffering serious injuries.
- Ponnachan has been remanded in custody and is due to appear at Derby Crown Court on April 29.
- Police have stated that the incident is not currently being treated as terrorism, but they are keeping an open mind about potential motives.
- Increased police patrols are planned for Derby to reassure the community following the incident.
Seven people, including three women, were injured, some seriously, outside the Bishop Blaise pub in Friar Gate in Derby at around 9.30 pm on Saturday when a black Suzuki Swift, driven by Sandhu Ponnachan, a 36-year-old originally hailing from Punjab, mounted the pavement, Derbyshire Police said.
Ponnachan has also been 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.
Of the victims, aged between 36 and 52, four have been discharged from hospital, police said.
Ponnachan, who now lives in Derby, northeast of London, was arrested seven minutes after the incident.
On Wednesday, he appeared at Southern Derbyshire Magistrates' Court, when police said he showed no emotion.
Ponnachan, wearing glasses and dressed in a plain grey T-shirt, grey jogging bottom and light blue croc-type footwear, spoke only to confirm his personal details, including his address.
He was remanded to custody until an appearance at Derby Crown Court on April 29.
District Judge Jonathan Taaffe began the hearing by addressing Ponnachan directly: "You face a number of charges from an incident on March 28th. It's said that upon that date you drove dangerously and that you committed acts that have unlawfully and maliciously caused grievous bodily harm to a number of people."
"Given the nature of the charges, they can only be dealt with at the crown court," the judge said.
In a statement to the media at Derbyshire Police's south divisional headquarters after the court hearing, Chief Superintendent Emma Aldred said there would be extra patrols in the city this weekend.
She said: "This incident has naturally sent shockwaves through the community of Derby and beyond.
Police Investigation and Community Reassurance
Earlier, a BBC report said Counter-terrorism police had joined the investigation but the Derbyshire force said it was a "common practice for an incident of this nature" and officers were "keeping an open mind about the potential motives."
However, it also said that the incident was not currently being treated as terrorism and police said there was no ongoing risk to the public.
