Harry Dunn’s family have been “shocked” by the US government telling the US driver who killed him she did not have to return to the UK to face sentencing.
Radd Seiger, a spokesman for the family, said his parents believed the U.S. government had suggested that Anne Sacoolas could appear at the Old Bailey by video link on Thursday , thereby “actively interfering in our criminal justice system.”
Sacoolas, who is employed by the US government, struck and killed Mr Dunne, 19, three years ago as she was driving in the wrong direction.
“Harry’s family were victims of a serious crime and since Mrs Sacoolas pleaded guilty on October 20 they have been in the dark about what will happen at Thursday’s hearing,” Mr Seger said.
“We are appalled to learn that the U.S. government is now actively interfering in our criminal justice system.
“Their continued cruelty to Harry’s parents is simply inhumane and continues to take a severe toll on their mental health.”
He said Mr Dunn’s parents would accept if there was a “genuine reason” for not being able to attend, but “on the face of it, it would amount to an act of cowardice by the oppressor”.
He has called for an urgent meeting with Foreign Secretary James Cleverly to find out how the government intends to respond.
Mr Dunn was killed by Sacoolas in August 2019 while driving a motorcycle near RAF Croton, a US military and intelligence base in Northamptonshire.
Sacoolas, a former spy, left the country 19 days after the U.S. government claimed she had diplomatic immunity.
Anne Sacoolas and Harry Dunn
Sacoolas appears at hearing via video link
Mr Dunn’s parents, Tim Dunn and Charlotte Charles, have since been campaigning for her to return to the UK to stand trial.
she plead guilty A judge urged him to return to the UK to stand trial after his careless driving death in October.
sacoolas participated previous hearing Via video link from her attorney’s office in Washington, DC.
Her representatives and the U.S. State Department have been contacted for comment.