A 36-year-old man has been remanded in custody after appearing before magistrates charged with deliberately driving into pedestrians in Derby city centre, leaving seven people requiring hospital treatment.
Sandhu Ponnachan, of Chariot Close in Alvaston, faces six counts of grievous bodily harm with intent, one count of attempted GBH with intent, dangerous driving and possession of a bladed article following the 28 March incident outside the Bishop Blaise pub on Friar Gate.
The defendant, who relocated to Derby from India several years ago, showed no emotion during his brief appearance at Southern Derby Magistrates’ Court on Monday. Wearing glasses, a grey T-shirt, grey jogging bottoms and light blue croc-style footwear, he spoke only to confirm personal details including his address.
Ponnachan was remanded in custody until his scheduled appearance at Derby Crown Court on 29 April. No bail application was made during the five-minute hearing.
Prosecutors allege Ponnachan mounted a pavement in a Suzuki Swift and struck pedestrians, injuring four men and three women aged between 36 and 52. Shop owners reported hearing “banging and screaming” as emergency services converged on the scene.
Derbyshire Police confirmed four of the seven victims have been discharged from hospital, with all injuries classified as non-life-threatening despite some being initially described as serious.
Chief Superintendent Emma Aldred stated: “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.”
Investigators continue appealing for CCTV, dashcam or mobile phone footage that could assist enquiries. Chief Supt Aldred cautioned against online speculation that could “impede the pursuit of justice for all those affected” now charges have been filed.
Derbyshire City Council leader Nadine Peatfield described the incident as “horrific,” announcing Friar Gate would be closed to vehicles during the Easter Bank Holiday weekend. “We want people to feel reassured that they can continue to come out,” she stated. “My heart goes out to everybody that’s been injured in this incident and everyone that’s witnessed it.”
Claire Ward, East Midlands mayor, characterised the event as a “serious but isolated incident,” acknowledging the lasting impact on witnesses and victims. “We know the repercussions of violent acts like this don’t end just in that moment. There will be real upset and trauma for many people who witnessed what happened,” she said.
Janine McKinny of the Crown Prosecution Service confirmed prosecutors determined sufficient evidence exists to bring the case to court and that pursuing criminal proceedings serves the public interest.
