Heiress Accused in High-Speed Crash Skips Court Again

A Chinese heiress accused of causing catastrophic injuries to Kyle Sandilands' regular chauffeur with her $1.5 million Rolls-Royce has again failed to appear in court. LanLan Yang, 24, has appeared in person only once in the nine times her case has been before Sydney's Downing Centre Local Court since August last year.

Judge Karen Stafford had previously warned that an arrest warrant would be issued if Yang did not attend court on Friday for a pre-hearing mention ahead of a five-day hearing scheduled to begin next month. However, neither Yang nor the investigating officer in charge attended the latest hearing before Judge Hugh Donnelly.

Yang's legal representative, John Korn, informed the court that his client had been excused from appearing throughout the proceedings. Judge Donnelly noted that court documents indicated Yang was required to attend, or a warrant would be issued. Mr. Korn stated he was unaware of Judge Stafford's specific order for Yang's attendance.

Judge Donnelly took no immediate action against Yang and excused her from the next mention of the case later this month. Prosecutor Wayne Law informed the court that parts of the prosecution brief, which was due to be served by May 26, had not yet been provided by police. He added that he had only learned two days prior that the brief was incomplete and that the officer in charge had gone on leave. Judge Donnelly described the situation as "problematic."

The incident occurred around 3:20 a.m. on July 26, 2025, when Yang's Rolls-Royce Cullinan allegedly collided with the Mercedes van driven by 52-year-old George Plassaras. Mr. Plassaras reportedly sustained severe injuries, including a broken spine, fractured femurs, shattered hips, broken ribs, a ruptured spleen, and a torn abdomen.

Yang has pleaded not guilty to charges including dangerous driving occasioning grievous bodily harm while under the influence, and driving with a mid-range prescribed concentration of alcohol. She also faces charges of dangerous driving occasioning grievous bodily harm, negligent driving occasioning grievous bodily harm, failing to submit to a breath test, and failing to provide particulars to police.

During her initial bail agreement, Yang was required to surrender her passport, report to police three times a week, adhere to an 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. curfew, and refrain from driving. In September of last year, her curfew was lifted, and her police reporting requirement was reduced to once a week, with her legal team citing mental health considerations.

Yang's wealth has attracted significant media attention, with reports detailing her preference for designer clothing and accessories. At the time of her arrest, she reportedly kept a second Rolls-Royce, an unregistered $800,000 convertible, in her apartment garage.

Yang appeared in court once in person on January 23, wearing a mask and sunglasses, to admit to breaching her bail conditions by failing to notify police of a change in address. Her legal team has stated that this was due to a miscommunication. Police had previously investigated whether someone else had reported for bail on her behalf but cleared her of using a body double.