Harry Dunn’s alleged killer will appear at Westminster Magistrates’ Court next month
Harry Dunn’s alleged killer Anne Sacoolas is ordered to appear in London court via videolink next month charged with causing death by dangerous driving – but her lawyer insists: ‘There is no agreement yet’
Harry Dunn’s alleged killer will face criminal proceedings in the UK, CPS saysAnne Sacoolas accused of killing teenage motorcyclist outside US military baseShe had diplomatic immunity asserted on her behalf by US and fled the UKCPS says case will be heard at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on January 18
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Harry Dunn’s alleged killer will face criminal proceedings in the UK, the Crown Prosecution Service said today.
US citizen Anne Sacoolas is accused of killing the teenage motorcyclist in a road crash outside US military base RAF Croughton in Northamptonshire on August 27, 2019.
The 44-year-old, who worked at the base for the US State Department, had diplomatic immunity asserted on her behalf by the US Government following the collision, and was able to leave the UK nine days after the incident.
The CPS reached the decision to charge Sacoolas with causing Mr Dunn’s death by dangerous driving in December 2019, but an extradition request was rejected by the State Department last year.
The Sacoolas case will be heard at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on January 18, the CPS said.
It was understood she will appear via video-link from the US, although a spokesperson for the law firm representing Sacoolas said: ‘While we have always been willing to discuss a virtual hearing, there is no agreement at this time.’
Mr Dunn’s mother, Charlotte Charles, said her family were feeling ‘very emotional’ after hearing the news.
Harry Dunn’s alleged killer will face criminal proceedings in the UK, the Crown Prosecution Service said today
US citizen Anne Sacoolas is accused of killing the teenage motorcyclist in a road crash outside US military base RAF Croughton in Northamptonshire on August 27, 2019
‘My family and I are feeling very emotional and overwhelmed, having just learned the news that Mrs Sacoolas is now to face our justice system,’ she said.
‘It is all that we asked for following Harry’s death.’
A CPS spokesman said: ‘While the challenges and complexity of this case are well known, we remain committed to securing justice in this matter.
‘The case will be heard at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on 18 January.
‘Anne Sacoolas has a right to a fair trial. It is extremely important there should be no reporting, commentary or sharing of information online which could in any way prejudice any proceedings.’
The US Government asserted diplomatic immunity on Sacoolas’s behalf and she was able to return to the US shortly after Mr Dunn’s death.
Sacoolas was charged with causing death by dangerous driving by the Crown Prosecution Service in December 2019. An extradition request was then submitted by the Home Office but that was rejected by the US State Department in January 2020.
Mr Dunn’s mother, Charlotte Charles, said her family were feeling ‘very emotional’ after hearing the news
A general view of RAF Croughton near Brackley on October 7, 2019
The Dunn family were then advised that, although there could be no criminal proceedings in the US, they could bring a civil claim for damages against Sacoolas as her immunity was no longer valid when she returned to her home country.
Lawyers acting on behalf of Sacoolas and her husband Jonathan attempted to throw the case out on the grounds it should be heard in the UK.
Judge Thomas Ellis dismissed Sacoolas’s submissions that the UK was a ‘more convenient’ forum, keeping the case in Virginia, describing the motion as ‘not warranted’.
Harry’s parents then flew out to the US to give evidence under oath as part of the ‘discovery’ process.
Former foreign secretary Dominic Raab said a path had been cleared for a ‘virtual trial or process’ to take place.
