Jack Shepherd arrested: Speedboat killer detained in Georgia after months on the run following conviction for manslaughter of Charlotte Brown

Hatty Collier23 January 2019
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Speedboat killer Jack Shepherd who has been on the run since before his trial and conviction for the manslaughter of Charlotte Brown has been arrested in Georgia, the victim's father said.

Shepherd, 31, has been in hiding since he was found guilty of the manslaughter by gross negligence of 24-year-old Ms Brown who was killed after he took her on a date on his speedboat.

Images from Georgian broadcaster Rustavi 2 appear to show a heavily-bearded Shepherd smiling and calmly handing himself in front of the cameras and being interviewed.

Shepherd's legal representative in the former Soviet Republic of Georgia said on Wednesday that he had handed himself in because "he was ready to prove he was innocent". Shepherd told reporters from the Georgian broadcaster that he was "in a tragic accident."

Wearing a long coat, jeans and a checked scarf, he smiled and waved for cameras as he walked into a police station.

Smiling: Jack Shepherd has handed himself into police
Rustavi 2

Shepherd, who denied manslaughter ahead of his trial, handed himself into police in the country of Georgia on Wednesday.

Charlotte Brown who was killed in a speedboat crash on the River Thames whilst on a date with Jack Shepherd.
Metropolitan Police/PA Wire

A spokesman for the country's embassy in London said that Shepherd had surrendered to the police.

Ms Brown's father, Graham Brown, wrote on Facebook: "Just been informed that Jack Shepherd has been arrested in Georgia. Justice for Charlotte is close!"

Jack Shepherd speaks to Rustavi 2 after handing himself into police in Georgia

Scotland Yard said that if the arrested man was indeed confirmed to be Shepherd, extradition proceedings would begin immediately.

Jack Shepherd's speedboat, which he used to try to impress dates
Alex Lentati

Shepherd was granted permission to appeal against his conviction despite being on the run. After Ms Brown's death in December 2015, Shepherd is said to have married his childhood sweetheart.

The marriage has since broken down. His wife previously told police Shepherd had fled to the Georgian capital of Tblisi but it has been reported that British police did not make a request for help there until Monday last week.

His arrest comes after Ms Brown's family met with Home Secretary Sajid Javid on Tuesday to ask him to help ensure Shepherd was caught.

Local MP James Brokenshire (left) with the family of Charlotte Brown, father Graham Brown (centre) and sister Katie (right), who died following a speedboat crash on the River Thames.
PA

Ms Brown died in December 2015 after being thrown from Shepherd's speeding boat during a champagne-fuelled late-night jaunt past the Houses of Parliament.

Shepherd's Old Bailey trial heard that he had met Ms Brown on a dating website and had been trying to impress her at the end of their first date at the Shard.

After handing her the controls, the boat hit a submerged log and capsized, sending Ms Brown into the cold water.

Shepherd was rescued, having been found clinging to the upturned hull, while his date was recovered unconscious.

Prosecutor Aftab Jafferjee QC told jurors at the time it was "sheer madness" to take the boat out that night.

Jurors heard that life jackets had been tucked away, the kill cord was not connected, and the boat had a number of defects including faulty steering.

The defendant, who lived on a houseboat in Hammersmith and was originally from Exeter, had denied manslaughter.

He had informed his lawyers before the trial he did not plan to attend but continued to be in contact with them throughout.

A Met Police spokesman said: "We have received information from the National Crime Agency (NCA) that Jack Shepherd, who is wanted on an international arrest warrant, is in the custody of police in Georgia.

"His identity has yet to be officially confirmed.

"However, if the man is confirmed as Shepherd, extradition proceedings will begin immediately.

"Shepherd was sentenced in his absence to six years' imprisonment in July after he was convicted of manslaughter by gross negligence following the death of Charlotte Brown in the River Thames in 2015."

Georgian law states that extradition is granted over convicted individuals if they have been sentenced to at least four months' imprisonment.

While Shepherd was on the run from the law, his lawyers have been working to appeal against the conviction.

Solicitor Richard Egan: "In the light of today's developments I don't think it would be appropriate to comment further until Mr Shepherd is back in the jurisdiction."

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