London/Derby, April 2, 2026: A Malayali man, Sandhu Ponnachan, arrested in connection with a vehicle crash that injured seven pedestrians in Derby, has been remanded in custody by a UK court.
The 36-year-old accused was produced before the South Derbyshire Magistrates’ Court, which directed that the case be transferred to the Crown Court due to the seriousness of the charges. District Judge Jonathan Taaffe ordered that the accused be presented before the Derby Crown Court on April 29.
During the brief court proceedings, which lasted around five minutes, the accused did not apply for bail and spoke very little, only confirming his name and address. He faces multiple serious charges, including six counts of causing grievous bodily harm with intent under Section 18, one count of attempted grievous bodily harm, along with charges related to dangerous driving and possession of a knife.
According to investigators, the accused was driving a black Suzuki Swift when the incident occurred. After the crash, he allegedly attempted to flee the scene but was later apprehended by police following a chase.
The incident has raised serious concerns in Derby, a popular tourist destination, as seven pedestrians—four men and three women aged between 36 and 52—were injured in the crash. Several victims sustained serious injuries, though some have since been discharged from hospital.
Police stated that the incident has shocked the local community and assured that support is being provided to victims, their families, and witnesses. Authorities also thanked the public and media for their cooperation in the ongoing investigation.
