Harry Dunn’s parents said yesterday they have stepped up their ongoing therapy as they prepare to face their son’s American killer at her sentencing in the UK.
Charlotte Charles and Tim Dunn went on US TV to tell of their shock at the prospect of meeting Anne Sacoolas, who last week appeared at the Old Bailey via videolink to admit causing death by careless driving.
The judge urged her to attend sentencing next month in person, as it would give “weighty evidence” of “genuine remorse”.
Ms Charles told CBS Morning: “We’re having a lot of therapy. We started it some time ago. It’s becoming more intense now, knowing we may have to face her.
“We agreed for this process to be done remotely so she could stay in the US. It was audible gasps all around when the judge said she had to come back for sentencing.”
Mr Dunn added: “I was shocked. I didn’t think I’d ever meet this lady.”
Sacoolas fled the UK in 2019 after her car hit 19-year-old Harry’s motorbike near RAF Croughton in Northamptonshire, where her husband was a US intelligence officer.
She claimed diplomatic immunity and the US refused to extradite her.
The 45-year-old was charged with causing death by dangerous driving but the CPS accepted her plea to the lesser charge.
Harry’s parents told CBS they have no desire to see Sacoolas, a mother of three, jailed.
Harry's family campaigned for over three years for Sacoolas to face the UK justice system, which involved meetings with high-profile politicians and a trip to the White House.
The teenager's parents recalled the "relief" they felt as Sacoolas appeared on the screen at Westminster Magistrates' Court in September.
Mrs Charles said: "Walking towards court, there was still the apprehension of 'is she going to appear?'
"Until it actually happened you can't allow yourself to fully believe that it's going to happen this time.
"We've been here before, it was meant to happen in January and at the 11th hour the rug was pulled from beneath our feet."
