Charlotte Brown: Home secretary 'determined' to catch fugitive after speedboat crash victim's parents demand action

The home secretary has said he is “determined” to see a fugitive who caused a woman’s death in a speedboat crash face justice.

Sajid Javid called for Jack Shepherd to give himself up, six months after being convicted of the manslaughter of Charlotte Brown.

The 31-year-old disappeared before his trial in London and was jailed for six years in absentia.

Ms Brown’s family met Sajid Javid on Tuesday to demand assurances that everything possible was being done to track Shepherd down.

Speaking outside Parliament, Ms Brown's father Graham Brown said: “The home secretary has underlined his personal commitment to see that the current manhunt is given the necessary resources and priority required.

"Our message is clear - there can be no hiding place for Jack Shepherd.

“No one should give support, assistance or encouragement to him other than to do what he should have done in the first instance, which is to hand himself in.”

Mr Brown said that after letting Shepherd escape while on unconditional bail, police and authorities “have a responsibility to do whatever it takes to ensure that justice is served”.

Ms Brown's mother Roz Wickens and sister Katie also attended the meeting.

Mr Javid said he took a personal interest in the case and was “determined to ensure Jack Shepherd faces justice”.

“I told the family we will strain every sinew and explore every option to bring them the justice they deserve as soon as possible,” he added.

“The Metropolitan Police and National Crime Agency are doing all they can to track down Mr Shepherd. If anyone is aware of his whereabouts they should report it immediately.

“What is clear is that Charlotte’s family have suffered enough. That is why I am repeating my plea for Mr Shepherd to give himself up.”

Police have assured the family that “everything which can be done is being done” and that investigators are following several leads, Mr Brown said.

Ms Brown was 24 when she went on her first date with Shepherd in London in 2015.

They were both drunk when he took her on the boat he bought to “pull women” without a life jacket.

Shepherd did not warn her of a steering defect before handing her the controls on a dark winter night.

Ms Brown died after the boat hit submerged debris in the River Thames and flipped over.

Unconfirmed reports of Shepherd's whereabouts have included Turkey, Thailand and Georgia, and an international arrest warrant has been issued.

But in December, Shepherd was given permission to challenge his conviction, sparking an outpouring of public anger, with Ms Brown's family accusing Shepherd of making a mockery of justice.

His solicitor, Richard Egan, has previously denied “protecting a fugitive” and said that despite being in contact with his client, he did not know his whereabouts.

Ms Brown's family's local MP, the communities secretary James Brokenshire, said he set up their meeting with Mr Javid to “ensure that the full efforts of our law enforcement agencies are being used to arrest Shepherd”.

“It is unacceptable that Charlotte's family still have not seen the justice they rightly deserve,” he added.

“We miss Charlotte every day,” Mr Brown said. “The lapse of time does not temper the rawness and the pain of our loss.”

Additional reporting by PA