British Speedboat Killer on the Run in Georgia Is Arrested
A British man convicted of killing a woman in a speedboat crash in London in 2015 has been arrested in Tbilisi. After months evading justice, he handed himself into police in Georgia on 23 January. 31-year-old Jack Shepherd had been living in Tbilisi since March 2018.
The tragic death of 24-year-old Charlotte Brown occurred on 8 December 2015, when she met Shepherd for a date. The pair, who met on dating website OkCupid, had a lavish meal at The Shard before Shepherd took her on a speedboat on the river Thames.
The boat hit a submerged log, flinging the pair into the water. Shepherd clung to the hull and survived the crash whilst Brown died from cold water inhalation. She was pulled from the water unresponsive and unconscious and later died in hospital. Video footage filmed on a mobile phone during the date reveals Brown shouting they were going “so fast.” The boat was over double the 12-knot speed limit.
Shepherd decided not to face the consequences by skipping bail before his court appearance in July last year. He notified his lawyers that he would not attend his trial at the Old Bailey in mid-May. Despite remaining in telephone contact with Shepard, his lawyers, Tuckers Solicitors, denied knowing of his whereabouts throughout the trial.
Police admitted that Shepherd may have fled abroad after he was found guilty of manslaughter by gross negligence following his trial. He was sentenced to 6 years in prison.
The handling of Shepherd’s case has drawn criticism. Firstly, many are angry that he is able to claim legal aid for his trial. Secondly, the Court of Appeal granted him permission to appeal against the conviction on 19 December 2018. He applied for permission to appeal in August 2018 whilst on the run.
Charlotte Brown’s family have been outraged by the slow reaction of the British police. “He’s still on the run, he hasn’t served a day of his sentence and he’s been allowed to still be in communication with his lawyers,” her sister Katie told the BBC before he handed himself in.
After records showed Shepherd was in Tbilisi, Georgian police and the British Met Police worked together to bring him to justice. “The Georgian authorities are actively cooperating to identify Jack Shepherd in Georgia and after that to implement relevant legal measures.”
On 23 January shortly before he handed himself into police, Shepherd gave an interview on Rustavi TV. He described the incident as a “tragic accident.” “The boat had faults, but experts invited by my defense established that these faults developed when the boat was removed from the water. Charlotte was driving the boat when the accident happened but unfortunately, this fact was forgotten and the media did not mention it either,” he added.
Although his identity has not been officially confirmed, extradition proceedings will begin straightaway. He will begin serving his sentence upon arrival in the UK.
Speaking to BBC Radio 5 live, Charlotte’s father Graham Brown said “I feel very emotional at the fact that my daughter will get some justice...He’s done the right thing and thank goodness he has handed himself in.”