Woman appears in court over Wimbledon school crash in 2023 which left two girls dead

A woman has appeared in court for the first time in connection with a car crash in the grounds of a primary school in 2023 that left two eight-year-old girls dead.

Claire Freemantle was charged with two counts of causing death by dangerous driving and seven counts of causing serious injury by dangerous driving after the incident in Wimbledon, southwest London.

Schoolgirls Nuria Sajjad and Selena Lau, both eight, died in July 2023 when a Land Rover smashed through a fence at The Study Prep school, which was celebrating the last day of the summer term. More than a dozen people were also injured.

At Westminster Magistrates' Court on Tuesday, Freemantle, of Edge Hill, Wimbledon, was given permission to sit behind her lawyer, rather than in the dock, for the hearing.

She spoke to confirm her identity and was not asked to enter any pleas.

Defending barrister Sallie Bennett-Jenkins KC asked for Freemantle to be allowed to sit in the well of the court, rather than in the dock, due to concerns over her health.

Chief Magistrate Paul Goldspring sent the case to the Old Bailey for a further hearing on 14 July.

Freemantle was released on unconditional bail.

Freemantle's lawyers have previously said she intends to plead not guilty to the charges.

The Metropolitan Police said in June 2024 that the driver of the vehicle in the crash had suffered an epileptic seizure and would face no criminal charges.

But after concerns were raised by the families of the two young girls, a review of the case was carried out, and the force's Specialist Crime Command decided to reinvestigate.

Freemantle, 49, was arrested for the second time and released under investigation in January last year.

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(c) Sky News 2026: Woman appears in court over Wimbledon school crash in 2023 which left two girls dead