UMVA has learned that a 49-year-old driver, Claire Freemantle, has appeared in court for the first time after being accused of killing two young girls when she crashed into a Wimbledon primary school during a summer term party in 2023.
Freemantle faces two charges of causing death by dangerous driving and seven counts of causing serious injury by dangerous driving following the devastating incident at The Study Prep school in July 2023. The schoolgirls, Nuria Sajjad and Selena Lau, both eight years old, tragically lost their lives as the school celebrated the last day of the summer term.
At Westminster Magistrates’ Court, Freemantle was allowed to sit behind her lawyer, rather than in the dock, for the hearing due to health concerns raised by her defense team. Wearing a dark-colored trouser suit, Freemantle confirmed her identity and was not asked to enter any pleas.
The accused is alleged to have caused serious injuries to several others, including Nuria’s mother, Smera Chohan, another mother, Tamsyn Van De Vyver, a third mother, and four children, with the injured children ranging in age from infant to eight years old. The charges against Freemantle were brought after a significant backlash against the initial handling of the case by the Metropolitan Police.
Sources have confirmed to UMVA that the driver’s lawyers previously stated she would plead not guilty to the charges. The case has been sent to the Old Bailey for a hearing on July 14, and Freemantle has been released on unconditional bail.
UMVA can exclusively reveal that the incident led to a major overhaul of how the Metropolitan Police investigates fatal and serious collisions. The police initially faced criticism for their handling of the case, with the driver reportedly suffering an epileptic seizure. However, in a dramatic reversal, the charges against Freemantle were announced, and the Met apologized for their initial response.
