Derby car ‘attack’ defendant to face trial in September
Sandhu Ponnachan was not asked to enter any pleas at Derby Crown Court and was remanded in custody until a further hearing in July.
A 36-year-old man accused of dangerous driving after seven people were injured when a car hit pedestrians in Derby will face trial in September.
Sandhu Ponnachan was not asked to enter any pleas at Derby Crown Court on Wednesday and was remanded in custody until a further hearing in July.
He appeared in court by videolink to HMP Manchester, dressed in a grey sweater and jogging bottoms, and took notes at several points during the 20-minute hearing.
Ponnachan, of Chariot Close, Alvaston, Derby, is also charged with causing grievous bodily harm with intent, attempting to cause grievous bodily harm, and possession of a bladed article.
Seven people were hurt, some seriously, outside a pub in Friar Gate at around 9.30pm on Saturday March 28 when a black Suzuki Swift mounted the pavement.
The victims were four men and three women aged between 36 and 52, Derbyshire Police previously said.
Adjourning the case after submissions from prosecution counsel Hugh Davies KC and defence barrister Julia King, Judge Shaun Smith KC set Ponnachan’s trial date for September 28 with a two-week time estimate.
The judge also ordered that Ponnachan, who is originally from India, be assisted by a Malayalam interpreter at future hearings.
Judge Smith told Ponnachan: “You are going to be remanded in custody. We are going to be back here on the 10th of July and we will see where we are going with this case.”
During the hearing, Judge Smith also gave permission for witnesses at the trial to give evidence from behind screens or through pre-recorded interviews.