US diplomat’s wife Anne Sacoolas to face British court over teen Harry Dunn’s death

ANNA Sacoolas, the wife of a US diplomat, is to face a British court over the death of Harry Dunn.

The Crown Prosecution Service announced today that Mrs Sacoolas will appear in Westminster Magistrates’ Court on January 18.

It is believed the 44-year-old will attend by video link, but this is denied by the American's lawyers.

Harry's mum Charlotte Charles said: "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.

"It is all that we asked for following Harry's death."

In December 2019 Mrs Sacoolas was charged with causing death by dangerous driving over the death of Harry, 19, in a smash near RAF Croughton on August 27 that year.

Mrs Sacoolas is understood to have been driving the SUV which was involved in a head-on collision with Harry.

She is understood to have left the US base at RAF Croughton and was allegedly driving on the wrong side of the road when she is said to have fatally hit the teen.

Ms Charles said her son was going to visit his twin brother Niall when he was killed in the crash.

The 44-year-old was able to leave the UK after diplomatic immunity was asserted on her behalf by the US Government.

The US embassy confirmed Mrs Sacoolas was behind the wheel of the car involved, and Northamptonshire Police have said the car was travelling on the wrong side of the road.

Since the incident, Mrs Sacoolas has been at the centre of a bitter row between UK and US authorities.

Mrs Sacoolas is the wife of US diplomat Jonathan Sacoolas who was stationed on the US intelligence base at RAF Croughton, Northamptonshire, in 2019. 

The military base is used by the US Air Force and processes around a third of all US military communications in Europe.

Washington has refused to extradite her despite appeals by both Prime Minister Boris Johnson and Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab.

Former US President Donald Trump tried to engineer a meeting between Mrs Sacoolas and Harry's parents Charlotte and Tim Dunn during a summit at the White House.

The family refused to participate in the stunt which was sprung on them during a meeting in October 2019 - later describing it as an "ambush".

Foreign Secretary Liz Truss tweeted: "Welcome news that Anne Sacoolas will face a UK court. We continue to support the family to get justice for Harry Dunn."

A CPS spokesman said: "While the challenges and complexity of this case are well known, we remain committed to securing justice in this matter.

"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."