Jail risk looming? Wan-Bissaka’s girlfriend charged over crash that left woman seriously injured

Aaron Wan-Bissaka’s partner is facing a potentially lengthy prison sentence after being formally charged in connection with a serious road traffic incident in Essex. April Francis, the 27-year-old woman has been accused of causing life-changing injuries to a pedestrian following a collision that occurred in September last year.

The alleged incident took place in Brentwood, where a woman in her 50s was struck by a vehicle during the morning hours. Emergency services were called to the scene, and the victim was later confirmed to have sustained injuries that will have a permanent impact on her life. Wan-Bissaka, who now plays for West Ham, is not believed to have been present at the time of the collision.

Following a detailed investigation led by Essex Police’s Roads Policing Unit, Francis was charged earlier this month with causing serious injury by dangerous driving. The offence is regarded as one of the most serious motoring charges in the UK legal system and carries a maximum sentence of up to five years in prison if the defendant is found guilty.

The charge was issued via postal requisition after prosecutors reviewed the available evidence. Francis is scheduled to appear at Colchester Magistrates’ Court on February 17, where the case will be formally heard for the first time.

Francis has been in a relationship with Wan-Bissaka since 2020, during his time at Manchester United, and the couple share a young daughter. The case has inevitably attracted attention due to Wan-Bissaka’s profile as a Premier League footballer, though there is no suggestion of any involvement by the player in the incident itself.

An Essex Police spokesperson confirmed the details of the charge, stating that officers were called to a collision involving a car and a pedestrian on Hartswood Road shortly before 9 a.m on September 23. The statement added that the investigation has been ongoing since the incident and has now resulted in formal charges being brought.

The Crown Prosecution Service also confirmed the upcoming court appearance, noting that Francis will attend a first hearing next month. Both Wan-Bissaka and Francis have been approached for comment, but no public statement has been issued at this stage.

As legal proceedings move forward, the focus will remain on the court process, with the outcome set to determine whether the charge leads to a custodial sentence. Until then, the case serves as a stark reminder of the severe consequences that can arise from dangerous driving incidents on public roads.