A 30-year-old man accused of murdering a mother-of-one who was shot outside a bar in Sheffield has been remanded in custody by a district judge.
Jemele Rhone, of Outram Road, Sheffield, did not appear for a brief hearing at Sheffield Magistrates’ Court on Friday charged with murdering 30-year-old Shanice Brookes, following an application by his solicitor.
Ms Brookes was shot near the One Four One bar in West Street, in the city centre, shortly before 2.45am on Bank Holiday Monday.
Detectives have said “she was simply an innocent bystander”.
Rhone is also charged with possession of a handgun and possession of criminal property, namely £10,000.
His solicitor, Rovena Zogaj, said he had asked not to appear in the dock for the short hearing due to his “mental health”, and District Judge Tim Spruce agreed that he should not be produced from the cells.
But Rhone’s co-accused Deiryen Dyce, 32, of Ellesmere Road North, Sheffield, did appear in the glass-fronted dock flanked by three security guards.
The court heard that she is charged with assisting an offender, possession of ammunition, possession of heroin, cocaine and cannabis with intent to supply, and possession of criminal property, namely £2,000.
Both defendants were remanded in custody by Judge Spruce and are due to appear at Sheffield Crown Court on Monday.
Dyce’s solcitor, Simon Morton, did not apply for bail.
Outlining the case to the district judge, Oliver Farrell, prosecuting, told the court that Rhone is accused of firing the shot that killed Ms Brookes, who was an “entirely innocent bystander”.
The prosecutor described the incident as an “alleged street shooting”.
He said Dyce is accused of assisting Rhone “post incident”.
Mr Farrell said the prosecution case is that the ammunition found in Dyce’s possession is linked to cartridges found at the scene.
The prosecutor said both the defendants were arrested on the A555 Manchester Airport link road.
Senior investigating officer Detective Chief Inspector Andy Knowles said on Friday: “Shanice was an entirely innocent bystander who should’ve been able to enjoy a night out in our city without the fear that she wouldn’t come home safely.
“Shanice’s family, including her young son, now face the harrowing reality that they will never get to see her again.
“They are having to grieve the unimaginable loss of their beloved daughter, friend and mother in the most tragic of circumstances.
“Our thoughts remain with them.
“From the outset of this investigation our priority has been clear – to provide answers for Shanice’s loved ones – and today’s development is a significant step in our commitment to do so.”
Ms Brookes, who left a 10-year-old son, worked for the Sheffield community charity Zest and was about to finish a degree at Sheffield College.
The college’s chief executive and principal Angela Foulkes said on Friday that Ms Brookes had been preparing to exhibit her final work ahead of graduating this summer, adding: “Her creative potential was clear to everyone who worked with her.”
She said: “The loss of Shanice in such shocking circumstances is devastating to all who knew her and our thoughts and heartfelt sympathies are with them at this time.
“Shanice was a vibrant and positive person whose enthusiasm for life and learning was genuinely inspiring.
“An exceptional student and talented visual creative, Shanice had a promising future and was about to complete a BA Honours Degree in Creative Practice with us.”
Ms Foulkes said: “We are absolutely heartbroken by the loss of Shanice who will be sorely missed by students and staff alike and who will remember her with immense warmth and affection.”
In a statement, Zest said Ms Brookes was “a truly beautiful soul who touched so many lives within our Zest family and wider community”.
