A Leicester man who drove into a group of pedestrians in the city centre earlier this year has been jailed for more than seven years.
Gurwinder Singh, 28, of Gwendolen Road, was sentenced at Leicester Crown Court on Friday, 7 November, after admitting three counts of causing grievous bodily harm with intent.
Picture credit: Leicestershire Police
The charges relate to an incident in De Montfort Street in the early hours of Saturday, 31 May, when Singh drove his white Volkswagen Tiguan into a crowd of people, injuring several. Three victims suffered serious injuries, with two requiring extensive hospital treatment.
Singh was handed a seven-and-a-half-year prison sentence and disqualified from driving for 12 years.
Police were called to De Montfort Street at around 12.34am following reports of a collision. Officers arrived to find several people injured—some from the car crash and others from a fight that had broken out moments earlier.
The vehicle had left the scene before officers arrived, prompting a large-scale search. It was later found abandoned in nearby Margaret Street, where CCTV footage showed Singh removing the number plates in an attempt to avoid detection.
Extensive enquiries, including analysis of CCTV footage and witness statements from hundreds of people attending a nearby private event, enabled detectives to piece together what happened.
Singh handed himself in to Keyham Lane Police Station later that same day and was arrested.
Detective Constable Jamie Anderson, from Leicestershire Police’s Complex Investigation Team, led the case.
He said: “This collision has left three people with injuries they are still suffering with today, all from one moment of impulsive behaviour in the heat of the moment.
I’m not sure we’ll ever know what Singh was thinking when he got behind the wheel that morning, but the impact on those he hit has been profound.
I’m pleased that Singh pleaded guilty, sparing the victims the ordeal of a trial. While this sentence can’t undo the harm caused, I hope it brings them some comfort.”
Two other men, aged 31 and 34, both from Leicester, were also arrested in connection with the incident. The 31-year-old was held on suspicion of causing grievous bodily harm with intent and causing serious injury by dangerous driving, while the 34-year-old was arrested on suspicion of affray.
Both have been released on police bail while investigations continue.
