Man appears in court after seven pedestrians hit by car in Derby city centre

A man has appeared in court accused of dangerous driving after seven pedestrians were hit by a car in Derby city centre.

Sandhu Ponnachan was charged with six counts of causing grievous bodily harm with intent, one count of attempted GBH and one of possessing a bladed weapon.

The 36-year-old was remanded in custody by magistrates after making his first court appearance on Wednesday.

Seven people were injured, some seriously, after a black Suzuki Swift mounted the pavement at around 9.30pm on Saturday, outside the Bishop Blaise pub in Friar Gate.

Counter-terrorism officers joined the investigation, but police said previously the support of these officers does not mean the incident is being treated as terrorism.

Ponnachan, of Alvaston, Derbyshire, appeared at Southern Derbyshire Magistrates' Court after being charged the previous day.

Wearing glasses and dressed in a plain grey T-shirt, grey jogging bottom and light blue croc-type footwear, he appeared in the dock and spoke only to confirm his personal details, including his address.

There was no application for bail during the hearing, which lasted about five minutes.

District Judge Jonathan Taaffe told Ponnachan: "You face a number of charges from an incident on 28 March.

"It's said that upon that date you drove dangerously and that you committed acts that have unlawfully and maliciously caused grievous bodily harm to a number of people.

"Given the nature of the charges, they can only be dealt with at the crown court."

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

Derbyshire Police described the injuries as not life-threatening and later said four patients have since been discharged from hospital.

The victims were four men and three women aged between 36 and 52.

Ponnachan is next due to appear at Derby Crown Court on April 29.

(c) Sky News 2026: Man appears in court after seven pedestrians hit by car in Derby city centre