US diplomat charged over Harry Dunn’s road death ‘may NOT appear in UK court’: Ann Saccolas’ lawyers say there is ‘NO agreement’ for her to be on videolink at hearing in New Year
- Harry Dunn’s alleged killer ‘may not appear in UK court’ at hearing in New Year
- Anne Sacoolas accused of killing teenage motorcyclist outside US military base
- Her lawyers said there is ‘no agreement’ reached for her to appear via videolink
- CPS says case will be heard at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on January 18
Harry Dunn’s alleged killer ‘may not appear’ before a UK court to face criminal proceedings after her lawyers said ‘no agreement’ had been reached.
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 19 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 Crown Prosecution Service said.
However, this has been cast into doubt after a spokesperson for the law firm, Arnold & Porter, who is representing Ms Sacoolas, said: ‘While we have always been willing to discuss a virtual hearing, there is no agreement at this time.’
Harry Dunn’s alleged killer ‘may not appear’ before a UK court to face criminal proceedings after her lawyers said ‘no agreement’ had been reached
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 Dunn family’s adviser and spokesperson, Radd Seiger, told MailOnline today that they are not ‘speculating any details’.
He said: ‘We first became aware of the possibility of a remote or virtual hearing in the Summer of 2020 when it was suggested by members of the British Government.
‘The family have always said they would support that process were it to become possible.
‘We are not speculating about the court proceedings at all – we’ve been given a date and time for the hearing and are waiting for it to go ahead. The details remain with the CPS.’
Mr Dunn’s mother, Charlotte Charles, said her family were feeling ‘very emotional’ after hearing the news of Mrs Sacoolas facing the British justice system yesterday.
‘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.’
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 news was welcomed by Foreign Secretary Liz Truss, who wrote on Twitter: ‘Welcome news that Anne Sacoolas will face a UK court. We continue to support the family to get justice for Harry Dunn.’
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.
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.
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