A woman accused of killing two eight-year-old girls when her 4x4 crashed into a Wimbledon primary school has appeared in court. Claire Freemantle, 49, faces two charges of causing death by dangerous driving and seven counts of causing serious injury by dangerous driving following the incident at The Study Prep school in July 2023.
Nuria Sajjad and Selena Lau, both eight, died in the crash on the last day of the summer term. Freemantle appeared at Westminster Magistrates' Court on Tuesday, where she was allowed to sit behind her lawyer due to health concerns. She spoke only to confirm her identity and was not asked to enter a plea.
The charges also include causing serious injury to Nuria's mother, Smera Chohan, and another mother, Tamsyn Van De Vyver. A third mother, her seven-month-old baby, two eight-year-old girls, and a seven-year-old girl were also injured. The case has been sent to the Old Bailey for a hearing on July 14.
The Metropolitan Police initially said the driver had suffered an epileptic seizure and would face no charges, but later reversed that decision after criticism from the victims' families. The force apologised for its handling of the case and said it would reset its approach to investigating fatal collisions. Freemantle's lawyers have indicated she will plead not guilty.
