South Yorkshire PoliceA murder trial jury has been discharged after it was unable to reach a verdict on a driver whose car hit and killed a “Good Samaritan” tending to an injured woman.
Chris Marriott, 46, died when he was struck by Hassan Jhangur’s Seat Ibiza as he tried to help Jhangur’s own sister in Sheffield on 27 December.
Mr Marriott was on a post-Christmas walk with his family when he unwittingly became caught up in a feud between the Jhangurs and another family.
The Sheffield Crown Court jury deliberated for more than 35 hours before being discharged by the judge. Jhangur had previously admitted causing death by dangerous driving.
‘Heartfelt thanks’
Jhangur, 24, had previously also pleaded guilty to a charge of causing serious injury by dangerous driving.
The charge related to three people who were near Mr Marriott, including off-duty midwife and councillor Alison Norris, as well as his mother Ambreen and his sister Nafeesa.
Earlier, judge Mrs Justice Lambert KC asked the jury of six men and six women if any further time would mean they would reach verdicts.
The foreman indicated they would not.
The judge formally discharged them and thanked them for their deliberations
“I know how hard you have striven to reach verdicts. You leave with my heartfelt thanks,” she said.
Jhangur was remanded in custody ahead of a further hearing on 12 August where a potential retrial would be discussed.
PA MediaProsecutors said Jhangur ploughed into people in a cul-de-sac in the Burngreave area of the city, before getting out of the vehicle and attacking another man, Hasan Khan, with a knife, leaving him with serious injuries.
Jhangur went on trial after denying murdering Mr Marriott and a number of other offences relating to the incident, including the attempted murder of Mr Khan.
Jhangur’s father, Mohammed Jhangur, 56, denied perverting the course of justice by allegedly hiding the knife used to stab Mr Khan.
He was released on bail after the jury was discharged.
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