Harry Dunn suspect could face virtual trial from the US

The local MP says Mrs Sacoolas could be tried via video link and if found guilty and jailed, serve her sentence in a US prison.

Anne Sacoolas claimed diplomatic immunity and left for the US in the wake of Harry Dunn's death
Image: Anne Sacoolas claimed diplomatic immunity and left for the US in the wake of Harry Dunn's death
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The American woman wanted over the death of Harry Dunn could face a virtual trial without even leaving the United States. 

Former CIA intelligence officer Anne Sacoolas left the UK after the crash that killed the 19 year old outside RAF Croughton in Northamptonshire last August and claimed diplomatic immunity.

Harry's family have campaigned for her return to face justice and the UK government has been trying to extradite Mrs Sacoolas.

Now in the absence of justice for Harry Dunn's family, the MP for South Northamptonshire, Andrea Leadsom, has proposed that Mrs Sacoolas face a virtual trial over a video link from the United States.

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Immunity rules change over Harry Dunn killing

In letters to the foreign secretary, home secretary, justice secretary and the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) she wrote that with Harry's family facing the first anniversary of his death, the authorities here should consider a different approach: "They are very anxious to obtain closure on these terrible events before that date and seek urgent comments on the possibility of the trial of Anne Sacoolas virtually or in her absence."

"She could remain on US soil, have a virtual trial with a UK court, and should there be a custodial sentence, she could serve it in the US under the existing prisoner transfer agreement."

She added: "A virtual trial is a way to achieve closure for Harry's family without undermining the US decision not to accept the extradition request."

More on Harry Dunn

The proposal has been discussed privately with the family's representatives for a few weeks and Mrs Leadsom has raised it with US representatives including the new American base commander at RAF Croughton.

Harry's mother, Charlotte Charles said: "I did not make it to hospital in time to comfort Harry. He died just before I got there.

"I did make a promise to him that we would get him justice and that is just what we will do. I have every confidence that the authorities will make sure it happens."

Family spokesman Radd Seiger said: "No one is above the law. You do not get to kill someone and just walk away.

"They do expect justice to be done. It is now a matter for the CPS, home secretary and her legal cabinet colleagues to determine how and where that happens.

"That is not a matter for the family. They simply insist that any defendant charged with a serious crime such as Mrs Sacoolas must go through the legal process.

"How she does that we will leave to the authorities."