School Tragedy Returns to Court as Woman Faces Trial Over Crash That Left Two Girls De-a-d
A WOMAN has is due to stand trial over a crash that killed two young girls at a school tea party.
Nuria Sajjad and Selena Lau, both eight, died after a Land Rover crashed into their school in Wimbledon, South London, in July 2023.
Nuria Sajjad and Selena Lau, both eight, died after a Land Rover crashed into their schoolCredit: Times Media Ltd
The driver of the Land Rover has been charged over the crashCredit: PA
More than fifteen others were injured in the crash, including a seven-month-old baby girl and her mum.
Clare Freemantle, 45, appeared at the Old Bailey today charged with nine offences including two counts of causing death by dangerous driving.
She also faces seven offences of causing serious injury by dangerous driving, with five relating to children.
Freemantle was not asked to enter any pleas but a provisional trial date was set for September 6, 2027.
She is accused of killing Nuria and Selena, as well as causing serious injury to Nuria’s mother Smera Chohan and another mum named as Tamsyn Van De Vyver.
A third mother and her seven-month-old baby were also injured, as well as two eight-year-old girls and a seven-year-old girl.
Clare Freemantle appeared at court todayCredit: Shutterstock Editorial
She has been released on bailCredit: Shutterstock Editorial
Freemantle was released on unconditional bail ahead of a further hearing on November 23.
The horror unfolded after the car smashed through a fence at The Study Preparatory School during a tea-party on the last day of term.
Criminal proceedings against Freemantle were initially dropped after an investigation in June 2024.
She was not charged as the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) said she suffered an undiagnosed epileptic seizure.
Selena Lau, eight, tragically died during the horror crash in July 2023Credit: PA
Nuria, eight, was also killed as the car crashed into the tea-party on the last day of termCredit: PA
However, concerns were raised by the girls’ families, who were unconvinced the probe had been carried out thoroughly.
In October 2024, the Metropolitan Police confirmed it would reopen its enquiries into the crash.
Last August, the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) launched a probe into the handling of the initial inquiry into the crash.
Eleven officers are now being investigated.
David Malone, Deputy Chief Crown Prosecutor for London North, said previously the charges had been brought following the emergence of “new evidence”.
He added: “This charging decision was made after the Metropolitan Police re-opened their investigation into the collision which led to significant new evidence being passed to us for consideration.
“Following this review, our prosecutors worked to establish that there is now sufficient evidence to bring this case to court, and it is in the public interest to pursue criminal proceedings.
“We have worked closely with the Metropolitan Police as they have carried out their second investigation into the collision.
“This was a tragic incident and our thoughts remain with the families of Nuria and Selena for their devastating loss, and to those seriously injured and otherwise affected by the collision.”
