R v Liam Peter Sharp
Paul O’Shea defended Liam Sharp who was found guilty of dangerous driving at Sheffield Crown Court. Mr Sharp was found not guilty of the more serious charge of causing grievous bodily harm with intent.
Sharp ran over Nazeem Hussain during a mass riot involving 150 men in Sheffield last summer. Mr Hussain was left with a number of serious injuries including a fractured spine and a broken leg.
A not guilty verdict in relation to the GBH charge means jurors in the trial did not believe there was sufficient evidence to prove Sharp ran Mr Hussain over intentionally, but believed the necessary burden of proof was reached to find him guilty of causing serious injury by dangerous driving.
Sharp received a 20-month prison sentence, suspended for 18 months. In addition, he was ordered to complete 150 hours of unpaid work, given a curfew for three months, disqualified from driving for two years and ordered to pay £1,000 in costs plus a £140 victim surcharge.
The case received substantial national media coverage including the BBC, the Sun, the Mirror and the Daily Mail. The trial, verdict and sentencing were covered in the Sheffield Star.
Please be aware that some of these links contain graphic video footage of the event.
