Harry Dunn family hope 'nightmare' will soon end as prosecutors still pursuing Northamptonshire teen's 'killer'

'Realistic prospect of conviction' despite High Court diplomatic immunity ruling, say CPS
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Harry Dunn's family hope their 'nightmare' will end next year after prosecutors confirmed they are still pursuing the Northamptonshire teenager's alleged killer.

The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) believes a 'realistic prospect of conviction' remains for Anne Sacoolas despite the High Court ruling she had diplomatic immunity at the time of the fatal crash last year.

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Tim Dunn, Harry's father, told this newspaper: "This was a wonderful letter to receive from the CPS just before Christmas.

Harry DunnHarry Dunn
Harry Dunn

"It's such a painful time for us but to see that the prosecutors remain of the view that Anne Sacoolas did not have diplomatic immunity despite what the lower Court said in November and that they will continue with the prosecution fills us with hope that our nightmare will be brought to an end in 2021."

Harry, 19, died after his motorcycle was involved in a head-on crash with Sacoolas' car on the wrong side of the B4031 near Croughton on August 27, 2019.

The American driver claimed diplomatic immunity using a legal loophole as her husband was working at RAF Croughton for the United States government and left the UK three weeks later.

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She was charged with causing death by dangerous driving in December last year but an extradition request was rejected by the US government the next month.

A High Court judicial review over Sacoolas' diplomatic immunity claim by Tim and Harry's mother, Charlotte Charlotte, found in the suspect and Foreign Office's favour in November - an appeal has been allowed.

East Midlands chief crown prosecutor Janine Smith sent a letter to Harry's family earlier this month to provide an update on the CPS' stance.

"Having considered the judgment, and notwithstanding the outcome in respect of diplomatic immunity, I am satisfied that there remains sufficient evidence for a realistic prospect of conviction and that it remains in the public interest for the prosecution to continue," she wrote.

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"The CPS remains of the view that Mrs Sacoolas should return to the UK to stand trial.

"I do hope this confirmation is of some small comfort to Harry's family and friends at this challenging time of the year."