Wan-Bissaka Partner Charged as Police Confirm Court Date Over Brentwood Collision
The partner of West Ham defender Aaron Wan-Bissaka is set to appear in court after being charged with causing serious injury by dangerous driving following a collision in Essex that left a pedestrian with life-changing injuries.
Essex Police have confirmed that April Francis, 27, will face a first hearing after officers were called to Hartswood Road in Brentwood last September when a woman in her 50s was struck by a car. The incident has been under investigation for several months and prosecutors have now authorised a charge.
The case emerged a day after Wan-Bissaka featured in West Ham’s 3-1 Premier League win over Sunderland, a result that moved the club within two points of 17th place with 15 matches remaining. The defender is not believed to have been present at the time of the collision.
The charge relates to one of the most serious motoring offences under UK law. Causing serious injury by dangerous driving carries a potential custodial sentence of up to five years if a conviction is secured, underlining the gravity of the allegation and the injuries sustained by the victim.
According to police, officers were alerted to the incident at around 8.50am on Tuesday, September 23, following a collision involving a car and a pedestrian. The injured woman was treated for life-changing injuries, prompting a lengthy investigation led by the Roads Policing Unit.
Authorities say evidence gathered over the subsequent months resulted in a postal requisition being issued earlier this year. Francis, who has been in a relationship with Wan-Bissaka since 2020 and shares a daughter with the player, has not commented publicly on the charge.
Essex Police confirmed the details in a statement, noting that the investigation culminated in a formal charge after a review by officers and prosecutors. The Crown Prosecution Service later added that Francis is scheduled to appear at Colchester Magistrates’ Court on February 17.
While the legal process moves forward, Wan-Bissaka’s focus remains on football matters. The DR Congo international is aiming to help West Ham avoid relegation, with the club currently sitting 18th in the table ahead of a London derby away to Chelsea.
The defender could feature several more times for the Hammers before the court date, as West Ham look to build momentum in the final stretch of the season. The outcome of the case will now rest with the courts, bringing clarity to a situation that has unfolded alongside a tense Premier League campaign.