Man jailed for life over murder of grandfather

A ‘loving’ grandfather was killed after refusing to give a lift to a stranger, who then ran him over with his own car.

David Ford, 62, was mowed down by by ‘cowardly’ Jermaine Richards, 31, in St John's Road, Sheffield, while preparing for a fishing trip with his son Ryan, who was also attacked.

Richards approached the pair as they loaded David’s Kia Sportage with angling gear at 5.45am on September 3, 2022, and demanded a lift. Richards then turned violent and punched Ryan when this was refused.

He initially fled, but David saw Richards a second time and confronted him for the attack on his son. Richards climbed into a member of the public’s car, before getting out and beating them to the ground before continuing the assault as they lay prone.

He then stole David’s car and drove off, before returning and running him over. He later died in hospital. Ryan was left with a serious brain injury after the assault, the court was told.

A jury heard David suffered multiple “catastrophic injuries” from the car driving over him and last month found Richards guilty of murder. Sentencing was adjourned because he would not leave his cell and he again refused to do so yesterday when he was jailed for life in his absence.

He was branded ‘arrogant’' by Judge Jeremy Richardson KC, who told Sheffield Crown Court: “I regard the refusal of the defendant to attend court to be an act of cowardice. His arrogance is also demonstrated by this conduct.”

Speaking after sentencing, David’s heartbroken wife of 42 years said: “The fact he went out fishing one day and never came home has caused such a shock to me that I cannot accept it.”

Richards, who was also found not guilty of two counts of racially aggravated public order against two police officers last month during his trial, was jailed for life. He will serve a minimum of 26 years.