The wife of a Sheffield father who was run over with his own car has given an emotional statement after her husband’s killer was jailed for life today.
Jermaine Richards, 31, of Wordsworth Drive, Sheffield, was found guilty of the murder David Ford last month following a jury deliberation of nine hours. He appeared at Sheffield Crown Court today (Monday 24 April) where he was sentenced to 26 year minimum term.
David’s wife, spoke of her and the family’s loss in a statement at the sentencing: “The fact he went out fishing one day and never came home has caused such a shock to me that I cannot accept it.”
Mr Ford was killed after Richards approached his son, Ryan, demanding a lift to Manor Park Centre on Saturday 3 September 2022. He punched him in the face before Mr Ford intervened.
Following an assault in which Richards beat the father and son to the ground, Mr Ford died of catastrophic injuries in hospital.
Mr and Mrs Ford had been married for 42 years and have four children together, including a grandson.
Mrs Ford said: “I will never forget sitting in the family room in the Accident & Emergency ward of the Northern General Hospital and being told that Dave had died and Ryan was injured. In the proceeding days I had to go to the mortuary and identify Dave’s body.”
“We used to do everything together – Dave was me and I was Dave. It was hard to see where one of us started and the other one ended. We have always been a team who have supported each other through life’s journey. I no longer have this support.
“Dave loved me and his family very much and we all loved him back. I will go to bed tonight and as I do every night I shall sleep on my side of our bed. David’s side will remain un-slept in.”
Temporary DCI Andrew Knowles, who led the investigation, said: “We know that seeing Richards sentenced will never undo the pain and heartache the Ford family will still be feeling. But we hope seeing him go to prison will help them start to move forward from this horrendous incident.”
Richards was also found not guilty of two counts of racially aggravated public order against two police officers last month during his trial.
He is today starting his life term with the minimum 26 years to be served.
