The driver of a 4x4 vehicle that plowed into a Wimbledon primary school, resulting in the deaths of two eight-year-old girls, has been formally charged with causing their deaths by dangerous driving. Nuria Sajjad and Selena Lau lost their lives when a Land Rover, driven by Claire Freemantle, crashed into an end-of-term tea party at The Study Prep school in south-west London in July 2023.
Background of the Case
Freemantle, 49, was initially told she would face no further action, with police and prosecutors stating in June 2024 that she had suffered an epileptic seizure at the wheel. However, the Metropolitan Police announced today that a review was ordered 'after concerns were raised by the families,' leading to a new investigation and the identification of 'further lines of enquiry.' Freemantle's lawyers have indicated that she will plead not guilty to the charges when she appears at Westminster Magistrates' Court on June 16. She was rearrested and released under investigation in January last year.
Police Statement
Commander Charmain Brenyah, who leads the Met's Roads and Transport Policing Command, stated: 'We have updated the families of this development and our thoughts and sympathies remain with them. These charges follow a complex and rigorous reinvestigation by detectives. There is an ongoing investigation by the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) into the first investigation which we continue to fully support. While it is right that this matter be independently scrutinised, we are sorry for how we initially dealt with the incident and for the impact on those affected. We must now let both criminal proceedings and the independent investigation run their course. However, following a review of the Roads and Transport Policing Command we will be fundamentally resetting how the Met investigates fatal and serious collisions. This will ensure our responses to incidents of this nature are more effective, providing better support and outcomes for victims and their families.'
Defense Response
Freemantle's lawyers expressed that there are 'serious questions to be answered' over why the decision not to charge her was reversed. In a lengthy statement, Mark Jones, criminal defence partner at Payne Hicks Beach LLP, said: 'As a mother of school-aged children herself, Claire will be tortured for the rest of her life by the dreadful loss and injury resulting from the unimaginable tragedy of that day. She remains utterly devastated by the appalling consequences for all those so tragically affected. However, Claire has no recollection of that terrible tragedy. Moments before the crash Claire suffered an epileptic seizure with loss of consciousness and memory. This diagnosis was not offered by Claire herself or made by an expert instructed by Claire but by an independent medical expert instructed by the police. Witnesses at the scene have been quoted in the media as describing Claire as being delirious and having bitten through her tongue, characteristic of those who have just suffered an epileptic fit. Paramedics who saw her immediately afterwards described her as being in the 'postictal state' also symptomatic of those who have just suffered an epileptic fit. Claire offered the police her full medical records. The police confirmed these medical records showed that she had never previously suffered any symptoms of epilepsy. The CPS decision at that time was not to charge Claire because there was no element of legal responsibility.' He added: 'We believe that initial decision by the CPS was the right one in these tragic circumstances and that there are serious questions to be answered about the reasons for its reversal today.'
Ongoing Investigations
The Independent Office for Police Conduct is currently investigating officers for alleged racism in their handling of the case. The watchdog previously said it was probing allegations that officers provided 'false and misleading information' to the families following complaints about the standard of the investigation. Four serving officers, including a commander and a detective chief inspector, are being investigated for gross misconduct. Freemantle, of Wimbledon, is accused of two counts of causing death by dangerous driving and seven counts of causing serious injury by dangerous driving.
