Chris Marriott, a 46-year-old father-of-two described as a ‘Good Samaritan,’ lost his life instantly while attempting to aid a stranger he found lying in the street, when a car was allegedly used as a weapon to harm multiple individuals, a jury was informed.
During a post-Christmas walk with his family, Chris Marriott was assisting Nafeesa Jhangur when they were struck by a Seat Ibiza driven by Ms. Jhangur’s brother, Hassan Jhangur, Sheffield Crown Court heard. According to Tom Storey KC, prosecuting, the incident occurred in College Court, where Jhangur reportedly hit five people with the vehicle before exiting and assaulting another man with a knife, resulting in serious injuries.
Mr. Storey detailed that the incident stemmed from a feud between the defendant’s family and the Khan family, which escalated following the morning marriage of Jhangur’s sister, Amaani, to Hasan Khan. Jhangur subsequently stabbed Khan multiple times after crashing his car.
Addressing the jury of six men and six women, the prosecutor stated, “You can reasonably conclude exactly what [Jhangur’s] intention was upon arriving at College Close – namely, to kill Hasan Khan.”
Mr. Storey also described how Chris Marriott, accompanied by his wife and children on a walk, noticed Nafeesa Jhangur lying in the street and rushed to assist her, joined by Alison Norris, an off-duty midwife passing by.
According to the court, Chris Marriott, aged 46, was aiding Nafeesa Jhangur when they were struck by a car.
Bryony Marriott together with her husband, Chris
Mr. Storey explained that during the incident, Nafeesa Jhangur’s mother, Ambreen, was also present when Hassan Jhangur’s Seat entered the street “at some speed,” initially hitting Riasat Khan, father of Hasan Khan, causing him to “cartwheel” over the bonnet.
“The Seat Ibiza drove directly over Chris Marriott, likely resulting in his instant death,” the prosecutor stated. “It also ran over Nafeesa Jhangur, causing her severe injuries, and either drove over or collided with both Ambreen Jhangur and Alison Norris, both of whom sustained serious injuries.”
“After stopping the vehicle, Hassan Jhangur exited armed with a knife, which he used to stab Hasan Khan, Riasat Khan’s son, multiple times in the head and left side of his chest, puncturing his lung,” Mr. Storey continued.
Addressing the jury, he asserted, “Hassan Jhangur’s actions clearly demonstrate his intent to kill that day. While his primary target seemed to be Hasan Khan, he showed a willingness to use his car as a weapon, intending to cause significant harm to others.”
Mr. Storey also detailed how Nafeesa Jhangur ended up on the street following a confrontation with members of the Khan family on the morning of December 27, 2023, following the wedding of Hasan Khan and Amaani Jhangur.
“Amaani Jhangur had a falling out with her family over the wedding, resulting in their absence,” he explained. “While the Khan family celebrated at their College Court residence, Ambreen Jhangur, the bride’s mother, arrived and deposited a bag of clothes in bin liners on the driveway before leaving. She later returned with her daughter, Nafeesa, and again threw items onto the drive.”
Mr. Storey added that a dispute between these women and the Khan family escalated, leading to Nafeesa falling to the ground.
“Mr. Marriott and his family had just returned from a Christmas break with his in-laws and were out for a walk, prompted by one of his children wanting to try a new skateboard,” Mr. Storey said.
The prosecutor noted that Hassan Jhangur seemed to have become aware of the situation unfolding in College Court and drove there in his Seat.
“Riasat Khan was in the middle of the road speaking to a 999 operator,” Mr. Storey said. “He would have been clearly visible to an approaching motorist but was struck by Jhangur, who drove directly towards him, propelling Mr. Khan onto the car’s bonnet. His head hit the windscreen before he was thrown over the vehicle’s roof, which continued forward without braking or changing course.”
“The Seat then collided with the group surrounding Nafeesa Jhangur,” he concluded.
Police Respond to Chaotic Scene Following Fatal Incident
The court heard that the vehicle came to a stop in a garden with its engine still running and wheels in motion, trapping Chris Marriott and Nafeesa Jhangur underneath.
The prosecutor explained that the defendant swiftly exited the vehicle upon halting, coinciding with Hasan Khan’s return from a walk.
“He immediately targeted Mr. Khan,” the prosecutor stated, describing how Hassan Jhangur proceeded to stab him multiple times.
Upon police arrival, chaos ensued as both families shouted at each other in the street, with bystanders attempting to aid those struck by the Seat Ibiza.
Alison Norris, a midwife who was injured in the incident, recounted her experience to Sheffield Crown Court. She described how she approached an unconscious young woman on the street, intending to provide assistance based on her training in basic life support. However, moments later, she observed a blue car approaching rapidly.
“It felt like the car was heading straight towards us,” Norris recounted to the jury. “In what seemed like a split second, I somehow managed to evade, though I cannot recall how. I was thrown backwards upon impact, hitting the road surface with my head.”
Norris expressed her belief that the car had been intentionally driven towards them due to its consistent speed and trajectory. Fearing it might reverse, she crawled to safety onto a grassy area.
Despite suffering a leg injury, Norris maintained consciousness and managed to stabilize herself. She described the chaotic scene that followed, including bystanders attempting to lift the car to release those trapped beneath.
Her partner, John Wood, testified that he witnessed the events from a distance, noting the revving sound of the car and gestures from people in the road signaling for it to stop. He recounted rushing to Norris’s aid after she scrambled away and fell on the grass.
Wood recalled seeing the driver inside the car as people crowded around, expressing anger towards him. He noted the ensuing confusion and urgency among those present.
Hassan Jhangur, residing on Whiteways Road, Sheffield, denied charges of murder and manslaughter related to Mr. Marriott’s death but admitted causing it by dangerous driving. He also pleaded guilty to causing serious injury to Alison Norris, Ambreen Jhangur, Nafeesa Jhangur, and Riasat Khan by dangerous driving. Jhangur further denied attempted murder and intent to wound Hasan Khan, along with four charges of causing grievous bodily harm with intent.
In court alongside Jhangur was his father, Mohammed Jhangur, who denied charges of perverting the course of justice, specifically in relation to concealing a knife.
