Anger as car crash accused flees

Ratnam Yogan fled to Germany last week

The family of a pregnant teacher killed in a car crash are angry the man accused of causing her death was allowed to flee the country.

Deborah Peaty, 26, from Daventry, Northamptonshire, and her unborn girl died after an accident on the A5 near Potterspury last October.

Ratnam Yogan, 39, from Manor Park, east London, fled to Germany last week.

Ms Peaty's family said they were "angry and frustrated" the authorities had not taken his travel visa from him.

Miss Peaty was 30 weeks pregnant and driving home from her teaching job in Wendover, Buckinghamshire, when she was involved in the crash.

Our worst fears have now been realised as, to be honest, we always suspected they would be Deborah Peaty's family

Mr Yogan, a Sri Lankan national, failed to appear at Northampton Crown Court last Tuesday.

He had been awaiting trial charged with two counts of causing death by dangerous driving.

He has since been traced to Germany and inquiries are thought to be continuing across Europe.

In a statement, Deborah's parents Bill and Marge and her partner Jason Leach said: "From the beginning, we and the police opposed bail.

"Our worst fears have now been realised as, to be honest, we always suspected they would be.

"We are angry and frustrated the authorities did not take his travel visa from him as we understood they were supposed to.

"If it were not for this, he would probably still be in the country.

"This disappearance has caused untold distress to a family and partner who are already grieving the death of a wonderful and vibrant young lady."

Police later revealed a second suspect involved in the case has also skipped bail.

Ports alert

Pushparajah Sinnappayal, 25, of Ragdale Road, Leicester, had been ordered to report daily to police in the city but has not been seen since he appeared at Northampton Crown Court last Tuesday.

Mr Sinnappayal is charged with conspiracy to pervert the course of justice in connection with the deaths. Police are trying to trace him.

Inspector Geoff Gascoigne, of Northamptonshire Police, said: "At this stage there is no reason to believe he has left the country or is with Ratnam Yogan.

"However, we have issued an all ports alert in relation to his disappearance."