Car 'ploughed' into man helping stranger - trial

Chris Marriott died after being hit by a car in Burngreave, Sheffield, on 27 December 2023

Chaotic scenes which unfolded moments before a father-of-two who had been helping a stranger was fatally struck by a car have been described in court.

Chris Marriott, 46, was killed on 27 December when he was caught up in a wedding feud between two families in Burngreave, Sheffield, a trial has been told.

A jury at Sheffield Crown Court heard on Wednesday that several other people were also seriously injured when a car driven by Hassan Jhangur “ploughed” into them.

Mr Jhangur, 24, of Whiteways Road, Sheffield, denies Mr Marriott’s murder or manslaughter.

The court had previously heard that Mr Jhangur also denied charges of attempted murder and wounding with intent in relation to another victim.

He had admitted causing death by dangerous driving, but denied charges of grievous bodily harm.

Meanwhile, Mr Jhangur's father, Mohammed Jhangur, 56, has denied a charge of perverting the course of justice.

'Revving engine'

The jury heard on Wednesday that a wedding between Amaani Jhangur and Hasan Khan earlier on the morning of 27 December had led to a fight between the two families in College Close.

It was witnessed by neighbour James Hammond, who told the court he had seen people pulling each other’s hair and Ms Jhangur’s sister, Nafeesa, being hit “repeatedly” before she fell to the ground.

It was then that Mr Marriott and another passer-by, midwife Alison Norris, who had both been out on a walk with their families, came to Nafeesa Jhangur’s aid.

Mr Hammond said the next thing he became aware of was a “revving engine” and a car being driven at “inappropriate” speed.

“I saw the car on the wrong side of a road, coming into College Close and aimed at Chris and the young woman," he told the jury.

“I saw it hit the young lady and Chris and the midwife. It ploughed straight into them.”

The court was told that the car first struck Riasat Khan, who was sent "cartwheeling" over the bonnet.

It then crashed into Mr Marriott, Ms Norris, Nafeesa Jhangur and her mother, Ambreen.

All of them suffered serious injuries and Mr Marriott died at the scene a short time later.

Hassan Jhangur is standing trial at Sheffield Crown Court following the death of Mr Marriott

Mr Hammond told jurors he then saw the driver get out of the car, appearing to be “spaced out, not quite with it”.

“Everybody seemed to be in shock because of what just happened,” Mr Hammond said.

Another neighbour, Lisa Poulton, said she ran down the road after hearing “a bang”.

She said she witnessed the driver get out of the vehicle, put his hands to his face and saying, “that’s my sister under the car".

Jurors were told that moments later a fight ensued, with the driver being attacked by others.

A weapon, which appeared to be a baseball bat, was wielded by one of the attackers, the court heard.

Ms Poulton said: "I couldn't understand why everyone was shouting and fighting when there were people injured underneath the car."

Mr Jhangur's trial is being held at Sheffield Crown Court

A further witness, Vanessa Moutrey, who worked nearby, said she had also heard the commotion in the lead-up to the collision.

She said she had rung the emergency services but had not felt safe enough to get closer to help.

"At this point I had walked down Scott Road, on the other side,” she told the court.

“I didn't want to see anything that may not have been nice."

Prosecutor Tom Storey KC told jurors earlier this week that Mr Jhangur had attacked Hasan Khan following the collision and stabbed him several times.

Mr Jhangur’s father, Mohammed, who later arrived at the scene, was alleged to have taken the knife and hidden it in the boot of his own car, Mr Storey said.

The trial continues.

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