Hit-and-run suspect accused of killing 12-year-old remanded in custody
Keaton Slater was killed in June 2024
A Latvian man accused of killing a 12-year-old schoolboy in a hit-and-run has been remanded in custody after being extradited to the UK.
Dolars Aleksanders spoke only to confirm his identity and date of birth during a three-minute hearing at Birmingham Magistrates’ Court on Thursday.
The 23-year-old, who is charged with causing the death of Keaton Slater by dangerous driving in Coventry in June 2024, was remanded to appear at Birmingham Crown Court on September 3.
District Judge David Wain was told that Aleksanders is alleged to have been driving a 15-plate black BMW when he caused the death by driving dangerously on June 14 2024.
Remanding Aleksanders in custody, District Judge Wain told the defendant: “You have been returned to the United Kingdom in relation to these matters to face justice.”
Aleksanders, who was represented by defence lawyer Michael Boylan, was told the case can only be dealt with at the crown court.
Keaton’s parents Louise and Clint Slater were present in court for the short hearing, sitting in the public gallery alongside police officers.
Keaton, a pupil at Coventry’s Cardinal Newman Catholic School, died at the scene on the city’s Radford Road.
The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) said Aleksanders had been charged with causing death by dangerous driving after an extradition operation involving British and Latvian authorities.
West Midlands Police said Aleksanders, who was detained in Latvia last month, was flown to Gatwick Airport on Wednesday and taken to a custody block.
CPS spokesman Ben Samples said in a statement: “The Crown Prosecution Service has decided to charge Dolars Aleksanders with one count of causing death by dangerous driving following a police investigation into a fatal road traffic collision that led to the death of Keaton Slater.
“Our prosecutors have worked to establish that there is sufficient evidence to bring the case to court to pursue criminal proceedings.
“CPS West Midlands has worked closely with West Midlands Police, Home Office, the Latvian authorities, Europol, the Joint International Crime Centre (JICC), CPS International and our Extradition Unit to bring Mr Aleksanders back to face proceedings in a UK court for an alleged crime that took place here.”
Police added that Keaton’s parents were being supported by specially trained officers and had been updated on the developments.