Derby Car Ramming: Driver Charged with Grievous Bodily Harm!

Sandhu Ponnachan, 36, appeared at Southern Derbyshire Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday, after being accused of mowing down a group of people outside the Bishop Blaise pub in Friar Gate, Derby. The incident, which took place around 9:30 pm on Saturday, left seven people injured, some seriously.

Ponnachan faces charges including dangerous driving, 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.

According to Derbyshire Police, the victims of the incident are four men and three women aged between 36 and 52. Four of them have already been discharged from the hospital. Ponnachan, who is originally from India but now lives in Alvaston, Derby, was arrested seven minutes after the incident.

During his appearance in court, Ponnachan showed no emotion.

Wearing a plain grey T-shirt, grey jogging bottoms and light blue croc-type footwear, Ponnachan only spoke to confirm his personal details, including his address. District Judge Jonathan Taaffe directly informed him of the seriousness of the charges.

'You face a number of charges from an incident on March 28th,' Judge Taaffe stated. 'It’s said that upon that date you drove dangerously and committed acts that have unlawfully and maliciously caused grievous bodily harm to a number of people.'

Ponnachan will remain in custody until his appearance at Derby Crown Court on April 29. No bail application was made during the hearing, which lasted approximately five minutes. Given the nature of the charges, they can only be dealt with at the Crown Court, as indicated by the judge.

The investigation into the incident remains ongoing.