Jermaine Richards Sheffield: LIVE updates as man, 31, appears in court accused of murder

Sheffield Crown Court heard on Monday, March 6, how Jermaine Richards, aged 31, of Wordsworth Drive, Southey Green, Sheffield, was charged with the murder of 62-year-old pedestrian Mr Ford who died from injuries sustained in a collision in the early hours of Saturday, September 3, 2022.

South Yorkshire Police reported at the time that a vehicle had been involved in a collision with a pedestrian on Cricket Inn Road, near Hyde Park and Park Hill, Sheffield, and Mr Ford had died as a result of injuries sustained.

Mr Richards has pleaded not guilty to murdering David Ford but pleaded guilty to manslaughter. However, prosecuting barrister Nick Johnson KC told the court that Mr Richards’ guilty plea to manslaughter was not accepted and a murder trial will be pursued.

The Recorder of Sheffield, Judge Jeremy Richardson KC, told potential jurors prior to the selection of the final jury panel that the case involves an allegation from September 3, 2022. He added that events relating to the trial took place around a block of flats in Sheffield called Castle Court in the Hyde Park and Park Hill flats area of Sheffield.

In addition to denying murder, Mr Richards has also pleaded not guilty to wounding with intent against another man, Ryan Ford, and he has also denied two counts of racially aggravated harassment against two different police officers from September 3, 2022.

The defendant has pleaded guilty to damaging computer monitors belonging to property company Guinness Partnership from the same date.

After swearing in a jury, Judge Richardson adjourned the trial until Tuesday, March 7.

Judge Richardson told members of the jury that he understands they must have had an emotional response to learn that Mr Richards has been accused of murder but he stressed that they must put emotion to one side and try the case on the evidence alone. He added that the jury will be required to be ‘unencumbered by emotion’ and to reach decisions based on the evidence alone.

A Sheffield man who has admitted killing pedestrian David Ford in a traffic collision but who has denied murdering the 62-year-old is due to go on trial this afternoon at Sheffield Crown Court.

Jermaine Richards, aged 31, of Wordsworth Drive, Southey Green, Sheffield, has pleaded not guilty to murdering David Ford who died from injuries sustained in a collision on Cricket Inn Road, Parkhill, Sheffield, on September 3, 2022. However, he has pleaded guilty to manslaughter but this has not been accepted by the CPS so Mr Richards faces a murder trial.

Mr Richards has also pleaded not guilty to wounding with intent against another man, Ryan Ford, and he has also denied two counts of racially aggravated harassment against two police officers from September 3, 2022. He will also be tried on these matters.

The defendant Mr Richards has however pleaded guilty to causing damage to computer monitors belonging to property company Guinness Partnership from September 3, 2022.

Prosecuting barrister Nick Johnson KC is expected to open the prosecution case shortly after 2.15pm as the court reconvenes after the jury was sworn in yesterday.

The counsel in the trial of Jermaine Richards who is accused of murdering pedestrian David Ford in a traffic collision have all gathered in court.

They include prosecuting barrister Nick Johnson KC, and defence barristers Kath Goddard KC and Kevin Jones.T

he jury trial is being overseen by The Recorder of Sheffield, Judge Jeremey Richardson KC, who has just asked for the jury to be brought into court.

Mr Johnson, prosecuting and opening the prosecution case in the trial of Jermaine Richards who has denied murdering David Ford, told the jury: “In the early hours of a September morning, last year, this defendant used acts of extreme violence when he did not get his own way in the murder of David Ford.”

David Ford had been out early in the morning of the alleged incident taking his son fishing and Mr Richards had been asked to leave the area after he had been trying to get into a flat.

Mr Johnson, prosecuting, said Mr Richards damaged computer equipment at the concierge’s station at a block of flats and then allegedly tried to flee the scene demanding David Ford and others drive him away but they refused.

Prosecuting barrister Mr Johnson added that following a confrontation with David Ford, Mr Richards allegedly gave David Ford’s son, Ryan Ford, a ‘deliberate beating’ and then took their car and allegedly drove it at them on the pavement.

Mr Richards was later arrested by police, according to Mr Johnson, and was allegedly racially abusive to two police officers and Mr Richards accepted to police he had caused damage at the flats.

The defendant claimed David Ford and his son Ryan Ford had confronted him and he wanted to scare them by driving towards them in Mr Ford’s own vehicle but he accidentally pressed the accelerator before Mr Ford was struck by his own vehicle being driven by Mr Richards.

Mr Johnson, prosecuting, said the alleged incidents had taken place at and near to flats at Castle Court, which is in the Hyde Park and Park Hill area.

Mr Richards had originally attended the flats with a woman to see a man and they got into a corridor of the flats as someone was coming out, according to Mr Johnson, and police had received a complaint about their presence in the building.

Mr Johnson said Mr Richards was on the edge of losing his temper and despite leaving the flats he tried to re-enter before he caused damage to equipment in the concierge’s station.

Prosecuting barrister Mr Johnson told how Mr Richards had approached David Ford and tried to get into his Kia Sportage and he demanded to be driven away and when David Ford and his son Ryan Ford said they were not going where the defendant wanted to go Ryan Ford was allegedly stuck by Mr Richards.