Jack Shepherd latest: Speedboat killer to appear before Georgia court amid push for his extradition

Speedboat killer Jack Shepherd is today expected to appear in a Georgian court six months after he was convicted of manslaughter in his absence at the Old Bailey.

The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) is set to request the Brit’s extradition back to the UK to face justice over the death of Charlotte Brown.

The 31-year-old is due to be produced at Tbilisi City Court later for a short hearing, during which it is believed Georgian prosecutors will apply to keep him in custody.

Ms Brown, 24, from Clacton-on-Sea, Essex, died after plunging into the icy waters of the River Thames when Shepherd's boat crashed during a date in December 2015.

Shepherd, originally from Exeter, went on the run before his trial at the Old Bailey and jurors found him guilty of manslaughter by gross negligence.

He was sentenced to six years imprisonment, but remained at liberty.

That was until Wednesday when, Shepherd walked into a Georgian police station flanked by lawyers and gave an interview proclaiming his innocence.

The CPS said prosecutors are currently "consulting with the authorities in Georgia to progress our extradition request"

Tariel Kakabadze, Shepherd's lawyer in Georgia, said he may still fight his extradition to the UK, where his legal team has been granted leave to appeal his conviction.

Mr Kakabadze said: "It's Jack Shepherd's decision not to fight for release on today's court session."

Under Georgian law, he can be detained for up to nine months before extradition, he added

Shepherd is also being represented by Mariam Kublashvili, a lawyer who reportedly appeared on Georgia's version of Strictly Come Dancing.

Prosecutors are required to apply for restriction measures for a person wanted in another country within 48 hours of them being arrested.

Cabinet ministers were among those celebrating his surrender, and Theresa May's official spokesman said the Prime Minister "welcomes the news that he is now in custody".

He added: "The Government will now work alongside the police and the Crown Prosecution Service to ensure that extradition proceedings are expedited."