Sydney Heiress Faces Additional Charges in High-Profile Crash Case
Lanlan Yang, a prominent 23-year-old Chinese heiress based in Sydney, has entered a plea of not guilty to two new charges stemming from a serious car accident that occurred in July. The incident involved a collision between her $1.5 million Rolls-Royce SUV and a Mercedes driven by George Plassaras, a chauffeur for FM radio host Kyle Sandilands, on New South Head Road in Rose Bay.
Details of the Crash and Legal Proceedings
The crash, which took place on 26 July, left Plassaras with severe injuries, prompting a complex legal case. Yang had previously pleaded not guilty to four initial charges in November, including:
- Refusing or failing to submit to breath analysis
- Dangerous driving occasioning grievous bodily harm – driving in a dangerous manner
- Not giving particulars to police
- Negligent driving (occasioning grievous bodily harm)
Last week, prosecutors introduced two additional charges against Yang:
- Dangerous driving occasioning grievous bodily harm – driving under the influence
- Driving with a middle-range prescribed concentration of alcohol (PCA)
During a hearing at the Downing Centre local court on Friday, Yang pleaded not guilty to these new charges and was excused from appearing in person.
Bail Breach and Court Appearances
In a separate development, Yang admitted to breaching her bail conditions last Friday by failing to update her address. This matter was resolved after her lawyer, Michael Korn, applied for a bail review. Notably, this marked Yang's first in-person court appearance, as she had only attended via video during her initial hearing and was excused from three subsequent hearings last year.
Yang's case has attracted significant media attention in both Australia and China, largely due to her substantial wealth and high-profile status. In a previous bail application, her lawyer revealed that she moved to Australia at the age of 14. Her barrister, John Korn, described her as "a very shy girl" in an October interview with Guardian Australia, adding that he had never inquired about her family background or nationality.
Next Steps in the Legal Process
The prosecutor has requested a six-week period to address Yang's additional charges following her recent plea. The case is scheduled to return to court in late March for further proceedings. This ongoing legal saga continues to unfold as authorities and the judicial system work through the complexities of the crash and its aftermath.
