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‘I too deeply grieve for Harry and his family’ – Anne Sacoolas

The mother of three said she regrets the accident that caused Harry’s death ‘every single day’.

Emily Pennink
Thursday 08 December 2022 16:46 GMT
Court artist drawing of US citizen Anne Sacoolas, 45, (right in TV screen) (Elizabteh Cook/PA)
Court artist drawing of US citizen Anne Sacoolas, 45, (right in TV screen) (Elizabteh Cook/PA) (PA Wire)

Anne Sacoolas has expressed her sorrow over the “tragic mistake” that caused the death of a teenage motorcyclist, saying: “I too deeply grieve for Harry and his family.”

The mother of three wiped away tears when she appeared at the Old Bailey by video link from the United States to be sentenced over the death of Harry Dunn in August 2019.

Her lawyer Ben Cooper KC read out a statement from the US citizen, who had been advised by her government not to attend in person.

In her statement, she said: “I want to again extend my sincerest condolences to Harry Dunn’s family and friends.

“My tragic mistake led to the loss of Harry and I live with this regret every single day. There is not a day that goes by that Harry isn’t on my mind and I am deeply sorry for the pain that I have caused.

Harry was a young man with his whole life ahead of him. I cannot imagine the loss and I too deeply grieve for Harry and his family

Anne Sacoolas

“It’s for this reason that I have been so committed to a resolution to this case since 2019.

“I know there is nothing I can say to change what has happened. I only hope that the truth and a resolution to this case will bring a measure of comfort and peace.

“As always, I remain willing to meet and apologise to Harry’s family directly if that would support their healing.

“Harry was a young man with his whole life ahead of him. I cannot imagine the loss and I too deeply grieve for Harry and his family.

“I am grateful that I could express my profound remorse to the court and to Harry’s friends and family.

“August 27, 2019 changed the lives of so many, and I pray for healing. I kindly ask the media for privacy. Thank you.”

Sacoolas had admitted causing Mr Dunn’s death by careless driving and was sentenced to eight months in prison suspended for 12 months on Thursday.

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