Seven Injured After Car Hits Pedestrians in Derby; Driver Remanded in Custody

Seven people were injured after a car mounted the pavement and struck pedestrians outside the Bishop Blaise pub on Friar Gate in Derby on Saturday night, police confirmed.

Sandhu Ponnachan, 36, of Chariot Close, Alvaston, appeared before Southern Derbyshire Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday in connection with the incident. He faces 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.

The collision occurred at around 9:30 p.m. when a black Suzuki Swift left the road, injuring four men and three women aged between 36 and 52. According to Derbyshire Police, four of the victims have since been discharged from the hospital, while all suffered serious but not life-threatening injuries.

Ponnachan was arrested seven minutes after the incident. During the five-minute hearing, he confirmed his personal details and was remanded in custody. No bail application was made. He is scheduled to appear at Derby Crown Court on April 29.

District Judge Jonathan Taaffe told Ponnachan in court that the nature of the charges required the case to be handled at the crown court. Counter-terrorism police supported Derbyshire Police during the investigation, though authorities stressed that the incident was not being treated as terrorism.

Chief Superintendent Emma Aldred of Derbyshire Police stated following the court hearing that the event had caused shockwaves in the community. She announced that extra police patrols would be present in the city over the upcoming bank holiday weekend to reassure the public.

The investigation remains ongoing as the community recovers from the incident.