Family of Harry Dunn ‘horrified’ Anne Sacoolas will not attend sentencing in person | World News
Family spokesman Harry Dunn, 19, said they were “appalled” to learn that US government employee Anne Sacoolas had been allowed to appear at the Old Bailey for sentencing via video link.
Radd Seiger, a spokesman for the Dunn family, told the PA news agency that the teenager’s parents think the US government is “actively interfering with our criminal justice system”.
“Harry’s family was the victim of a serious crime and they were completely ignorant of what was to come at Thursday’s hearing since Ms Sacoolas pleaded guilty on October 20,” he said. .
“We are appalled to learn that the United States Government is currently actively interfering with our criminal justice system.
“There’s nothing inhumane about their treatment of Harry’s parents and it continues to take a heavy toll on their mental health.
Split image of Anne Sacoolas and Harry Dunn
“If there is a good reason for Mrs Sacoolas not to appear in court on Thursday, as directed by the judge, the parents will happily accept that.
“But on the surface, it looks like this is nothing more than a cowardly act of an oppressor.
“Today I have requested an urgent meeting with Foreign Secretary James Cleverly to understand what action the UK Government intends to take in response.”
Court artist drawing by Elizabeth Cook
The family’s response came after a court spokesman said the joint application by the prosecution and defense for Sacoolas to participate and be convicted by direct link had been renewed.
Sacoolas was granted diplomatic immunity on her behalf by the US government after the Northamptonshire incident and could leave the UK in 19 days.
After pleading guilty to careless drivingafter she crashed her Volvo into a young motorcyclist near RAF Croughton in August 2019, sentencing judge Mrs Justice Cheema-Grubb urged her to return to the UK to face the police. reason, which was ignored.
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Harry Dunn’s family reacts to Anne Sacoolas plead guilty to causing death by reckless driving in October
Sacoolas attended both prior hearing via a video link from her attorney’s offices in Washington-DC, although Justice Cheema-Grubb said that while it would not be possible to force her to face justice directly, it would provide provided “substantial evidence” of “real remorse”.
Representatives for Sacoolas and the US State Department have been contacted for comment.
