Man in court facing manslaughter charges over speedboat death of date on River Thames

A man accused of killing a young woman when she drowned during a first date on a speedboat on the River Thames appeared in court this morning.

Charlotte Brown, 24, died after being thrown into the water when the boat capsized close to Wandsworth Bridge.

She was rushed to hospital following the incident, just before midnight on December 8, 2015, but could not be saved.

Jack Shepherd, 30, who was also pulled from the water, has now been charged with her manslaughter by gross negligence.

He was on a first date with Ms Brown at the time, having previously exchanged messages online.

In a brief hearing this morning at Wimbledon magistrates court, District Judge James Henderson sent the case to the Old Bailey.

He freed Shepherd, from Bristol, on unconditional bail until the next hearing on November 15.

No details of the case were given to the court, and Shepherd was not asked to enter a plea.