Man accused of murdering ‘innocent bystander’ mother shot in Sheffield to go on trial

A man will go on trial accused of murdering a mother who was shot outside a bar in Sheffield on bank holiday Monday.

Jemele Rhone, 30, appeared at Sheffield Crown Court by videolink on Monday, charged with the murder of 30-year-old Shanice Brookes.

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 said the mother-of-one “was simply an innocent bystander”.

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Rhone, of Outram Road in Sheffield, appeared on a videolink to prison with long dark hair, wearing a mask and sitting behind a desk.

His co-accused Deiryen Dyce, 32 and of Ellesmere Road North in Sheffield, appeared in the dock at the court flanked by a security guard.

Dyce is charged with assisting an offender, possession of ammunition, possession of heroin, cocaine and cannabis with intent to supply, and possession of criminal property worth £2,000.

Rhone is also charged with possession of a handgun and possession of criminal property worth £10,000.

Judge Jeremy Richardson KC set a provisional trial date for both defendants of 4 January, 2027.

They were remanded in custody and not asked to enter any pleas. There will be another hearing on 13 July.

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When the defendants appeared at magistrates’ court last week, prosecutors described the incident on 25 May as an “alleged street shooting” and said Ms Brookes was an “entirely innocent bystander”.

The mother of a 10-year-old boy worked as a volunteer for the Sheffield community charity Zest and was about to finish a degree at Sheffield College.

In a statement issued after her death, her family said: “She could light up every room she walked into with her infectious laugh, beautiful soul and magical aura.

“Shanice made people feel loved, safe and valued simply by being herself.

“She was truly one of a kind and she will be missed by all who were lucky enough to know and love her.”

In another statement, Zest said Ms Brookes was “a truly beautiful soul who touched so many lives within our Zest family and wider community”.