Harry Dunn’s mom feared ‘letting the nation down’ as she fought for justice

Harry Dunn’s mom says she fought for justice not just for her son – however for the nation too.

Speaking on the fourth anniversary of the 19-year-old’s dying, Charlotte Charles mentioned the US authorities had “very much misbehaved”.

She informed Sky News: “So did our government, but we got there in the end.”

Despite it being a “long, laborious process”, she didn’t wish to let Harry or his twin brother down.

She added: “And I also felt I’d be letting the country down because without our fight that we took on, it would have kept happening to other families, and we didn’t want that.”

Harry was driving his bike on 27 August 2019 when he collided with a automotive exterior RAF Croughton in Northamptonshire.

At the wheel, and on the improper aspect of the highway, was Anne Sacoolas, initially described as a “diplomat’s wife”.

At the time of the crash she was truly employed by a US intelligence company, it later transpired.

She left the UK the identical month, claiming diplomatic immunity.

Getting justice for Harry ought to have been “straightforward”, Mrs Charles mentioned.

It did not end up that approach, however “when you make a promise to your child” there’s a “fire that burns in the pit of your stomach”, she continued.

Harry had already died when she obtained to the hospital, his physique so badly injured she was informed “not to touch certain areas of him”.

But his face, as a result of he had an “amazing crash helmet”, was “pretty much untouched”.

She kissed his brow and, in entrance of household and pals, made a promise that “justice would be done”.

Anne Sacoolas finally pleaded responsible to inflicting Harry’s dying by careless driving and was sentenced to eight months in jail, suspended for 12 months, final December.

She was not on the Old Bailey in particular person, nevertheless, showing through video hyperlink from Washington.

The courtroom heard she had been suggested by American officers to not fly to the UK, as her return “could place significant US interests at risk”. The decide was essential of Mrs Sacoolas’s non-attendance.

The case was a “a straightforward head on road collision”, Mrs Charles mentioned.

“It didn’t turn out the way we expected it to because the US government very much misbehaved,” she informed Sky News.

Mrs Charles says she feels calmer now, and, together with different family members, will mark the fourth anniversary of Harry’s dying in Portland, Weymouth, the place they scattered his ashes in 2020.

“Last year I felt that I was still letting Harry down in a sense because I hadn’t achieved the promise that I’d made to him on the night that he died that I would get him justice.

“Now that justice was achieved, again in December final yr, I really feel that I can smile extra this yr.”