Man, 36, charged after pedestrians hit by car in Derby

A 36-year-old man has been charged after seven people were injured when a car hit pedestrians in Derby, police have said.

Sandhu Ponnachan, of Chariot Close, Alvaston, was charged on Tuesday night with six counts of causing grievous bodily harm with intent, one count of attempted grievous bodily harm, one count of dangerous driving, and one count of possession of a bladed article, Derbyshire Police said.

He has been remanded into custody and is due to appear at Southern Derbyshire Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday.

Counter-terrorism officers assisted the investigation after seven people were injured – some seriously – outside the Bishop Blaise in Friar Gate at around 9.30pm on Saturday when a black Suzuki Swift mounted the pavement.

The victims were four men and three women aged between 36 and 52, and four have been discharged from hospital, Derbyshire Police said.

Their injuries have been described by police as not life-threatening.

Ponnachan, who is originally from India but now lives in Derby, was arrested seven minutes after the incident.

Chief Superintendent Emma Aldred said in a statement on Tuesday night: “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.

“I would like to reiterate my thanks to all the people that have assisted our investigation – the public, partner agencies, local businesses and also the media and wider community for their patience and understanding as we have worked to seek a charge.

“While today’s charge is positive news, and one that I hope brings a degree of reassurance, the investigation into the incident continues and I would once again appeal for anyone who has any information to come forward.

“As a final word, now that charges have been made I’d ask for the cooperation of the public to allow the judicial process to continue without any speculation online or elsewhere that could impede the pursuit of justice for all those affected.”

Janine McKinney, of the Crown Prosecution Service, said: “Our prosecutors have worked to establish that there is sufficient evidence to bring the case to court and that it is in the public interest to pursue criminal proceedings.

“We have worked carefully with Derbyshire Police as they carried out their investigation.”

Derbyshire Police are asking anyone with footage of the incident to contact them.

The force previously said the support of counter-terrorism officers does not mean the incident is being treated as terrorism.