Father Killed Amid Wedding Feud Between Families, Court Hears
A father-of-two, Chris Marriott, was tragically killed after becoming embroiled in a violent feud between two families at a wedding, a court has been told. The incident occurred on 27 December in Burngreave, Sheffield, where Marriott, 46, was fatally struck by a car while attempting to assist a woman lying motionless in the street.
Accusations and Charges
Hassan Jhangur, 24, of Whiteways Road, is accused of Marriott’s murder or manslaughter. His father, Mohammed Jhangur, 56, faces charges of perverting the course of justice. Both men deny the charges. The trial is currently underway at Sheffield Crown Court.
Previously, Hassan Jhangur also denied charges of attempted murder and wounding with intent in relation to another victim. While he admitted causing death by dangerous driving, he denied charges of grievous bodily harm.
Sequence of Events
Prosecutor Tom Storey KC outlined the events leading up to the tragedy, explaining that a wedding between Amaani Jhangur and Hasan Khan had sparked a violent dispute. The Jhangur family reportedly disapproved of the marriage, leading to an altercation outside the Khan family home on College Close later that day.
During the conflict, Nafeesa Jhangur, Hassan’s sister, fell and remained motionless on the ground. Chris Marriott, who was out walking with his wife and two children, came across Nafeesa and stopped to help her. He was joined by Alison Norris, a midwife also on a family walk, who saw the woman and decided to assist.
The Collision
As they tended to Nafeesa, Hassan Jhangur allegedly drove a Seat Ibiza around the corner at high speed. The car first struck Hasan Khan’s father, Riasat, who was standing nearby, before plowing into bystanders, including Marriott and Norris. The prosecution stated that Marriott was “almost certainly” killed instantly, and several others, including Nafeesa Jhangur and her mother, sustained serious injuries.
Alison Norris described the harrowing moments to the court, recounting how she felt herself “flying through the air” after being struck. She managed to move out of the way but feared the attack was intentional due to the vehicle’s unchanged speed and wheel position.
Aftermath
Following the collision, Hassan Jhangur allegedly exited the car armed with a knife and proceeded to stab Hasan Khan multiple times. Mohammed Jhangur then arrived at the scene and reportedly took the knife from his son, hiding it in the boot of his own car. Mohammed initially told police someone had planted the knife and, when charged with perverting the course of justice, allegedly commented that he “should have left it on the floor.”
The trial at Sheffield Crown Court continues, as the prosecution seeks to establish the full extent of the events and the responsibility of the accused parties in this tragic incident.