Harry Dunn crash: Anne Sacoolas appears in court

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Harry DunnImage source, justice4harry19
Image caption,

Harry Dunn died following a collision outside RAF Croughton in Northamptonshire in 2019

A US citizen has appeared in court to face a charge of causing the death of teenage motorcyclist Harry Dunn by dangerous driving.

Anne Sacoolas, 45, appeared at Westminster Magistrates' Court via videolink from the United States.

Mr Dunn, 19, died following a collision outside a US military base in Northamptonshire in August 2019.

She was granted unconditional bail and the case will next be heard at the Old Bailey on 27 October.

Mrs Sacoolas had diplomatic immunity asserted on her behalf by the US administration following the collision near RAF Croughton and left the UK 19 days later.

Image source, Julia Quenzler
Image caption,

Anne Sacoolas (right) appeared alongside her lawyer Amy Jeffress via videolink from the US

The family of Harry Dunn, including his parents Charlotte Charles and Tim Dunn, and twin brother Niall, were at court for the appearance.

At the six-minute hearing, the defendant spoke only to confirm her name and date of birth as she followed proceedings next to her lawyer, Amy Jeffress.

The chief magistrate Paul Goldspring told Mrs Sacoolas she would be required to appear in person at the Old Bailey.

But he said that might change as there would be a joint application to allow Mrs Sacoolas to appear via videolink again.

The chief magistrate told the defendant the application would be decided by the judge at the crown court.

Image source, PA Media
Image caption,

Harry Dunn's father Tim Dunn, with his wife Tracey Dunn, and Harry Dunn's mother Charlotte Charles, with husband Bruce, (left to right) were at court

The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) made the decision to charge Mrs Sacoolas with the offence in December 2019.

This is the first time the case has been heard at a British court, following a diplomatic row between the two governments.

The Dunn family said they would not be commenting on the case until the conclusion of criminal proceedings.

Image source, Mega Agency
Image caption,

Anne Sacoolas, pictured here in 2020, had no restrictions imposed on her by the court

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