Woman in court over fatal Wimbledon school crash

The driver of the car which crashed into the grounds of a south-west London school killing two eight-year-old girls has appeared in court.

Nuria Sajjad and Selena Lau died after a Land Rover driven by Claire Freemantle crashed into an end-of-term tea party on the lawn of The Study Preparatory School in Wimbledon on 6 July 2023.

Freemantle appeared at Westminster Magistrates' Court, where she faced two charges of causing death by dangerous driving and seven counts of causing serious injury to other parents and children.

The parents of Nuria and Selena and others who were injured that day were in the public gallery to witness the 49-year-old's first court appearance.

Freemantle, who spoke only to confirm her name, address and date of birth, was allowed to sit in the courtroom rather than the dock after her defence barrister told the court her client had health concerns. The prosecution did not oppose the request.

The defendant is accused of injuring Nuria's mother Smera Chohan, two other adults, two eight-year-olds, a seven-year-old and a seven-month-old.

Freemantle, of Edge Hill, Wimbledon, was charged in May after a previous investigation by the Metropolitan Police ended in 2024 with prosecutors deciding they would not charge her after they said she had suffered an undiagnosed epileptic seizure.

The police watchdog is currently investigating 11 Met Police officers over their handling of the initial investigation.

Nuria was described by her family after the crash as "a bright, feisty, girl who had a zest for life".

Selena's family said she was "an intelligent and cheeky girl who was adored and loved by everyone".

Freemantle's lawyers have previously said she will plead not guilty to all the charges. She was granted bail and will appear in court again at the Old Bailey on 14 July.

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