Lanlan Yang, a prominent Sydney-based Chinese heiress, has entered a plea of not guilty to two fresh charges stemming from a high-value vehicle collision that occurred in July. The incident involved a $1.5 million Rolls Royce SUV and left another driver with severe injuries.
Court Proceedings and Additional Allegations
The Downing Centre District Court in Sydney heard that Yang, aged 23, was excused from appearing in person as her legal representative entered the plea on her behalf. This development follows her admission last week to breaching bail conditions by failing to update her address, a matter that was resolved through a bail review application.
The prosecutor has introduced two new charges against Yang: dangerous driving occasioning grievous bodily harm while under the influence, and driving with a middle-range prescribed concentration of alcohol (PCA). These supplement four existing charges to which Yang had previously pleaded not guilty in November, including dangerous driving occasioning grievous bodily harm, refusing a breath analysis, and negligent driving.
Details of the July Collision
The crash took place on New South Head Road in the affluent suburb of Rose Bay on 26 July. Yang was allegedly driving the Rolls Royce when it collided with a Mercedes operated by George Plassaras, a driver for FM radio host Kyle Sandilands. Plassaras sustained serious injuries as a result of the impact.
Yang's case has attracted significant media attention both in Australia and China, partly due to her substantial wealth and high-profile status. Her lawyer, Michael Korn, has previously described her as "a very shy girl" and noted that she arrived in Australia at the age of 14. In an October interview, barrister John Korn stated that he had never inquired about Yang's family background or nationality.
Legal Timeline and Future Hearings
Last Friday marked Yang's first in-person court appearance; she had attended her initial hearing via video link and was excused from three subsequent hearings last year. The prosecution has requested a six-week period to prepare for the additional charges following today's plea.
The case is scheduled to return to court in late March for further proceedings. This ongoing legal matter continues to unfold as the court examines the circumstances surrounding the crash and the subsequent charges.
