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Speedboat killer Jack Shepherd to stay in Georgian jail for three months after 'death threats' over return to UK

Jack Shepherd in court in Tblisli (Reuters)
Jack Shepherd in court in Tblisli (Reuters)

Speedboat killer Jack Shepherd has been told he will be held in jail for three months in Georgia after appearing in court in the capital of Tblisi.

The ruling was made after Shepherd’s lawyers said he has received death threats and his life could be in danger if returned to the UK.

His defence team also said he has been suicidal and depressed since the death of Charlotte Brown, who died while the couple were on a speedboat date while on the River Thames – and that it might not be possible to extradite him to the UK.

The 31-year-old has been in the Georgian capital of Tblisli since March.

Victim Charlotte Brown (Metropolitan Police/PA)
Victim Charlotte Brown (Metropolitan Police/PA)

Fugitive Shepherd went on the run after he fled the Old Bailey at the start of his three-week trial, sparking an international manhunt.

Shepherd made his first appearance at the Old Bailey on 26 January 2018, when he entered a not guilty plea to a charge of manslaughter by gross negligence.

In his absence, Shepherd was sentenced to six years and after his conviction an international arrest warrant was issued.

However, while he was on the run, he won the right to appeal against his conviction, despite his lawyer claiming to not know where his client was in the world.

He was arrested after handing himself into police in the former Soviet republic.

After he was arrested he told a Georgian TV station: “Yes my name is Jack Shepherd, I was involved in a tragic accident… in which a lady called Charlotte Brown tragically died.”

Jack Shepherd speaking to Georgian TV (Rustravi2)
Jack Shepherd speaking to Georgian TV (Rustravi2)

Ms Brown, 24, was killed after falling into the icy Thames water when Shepherd’s speedboat overturned in the River Thames during a first date in December 2015.

Mr Shepherd suggested the boat ride despite the fact that the pair had been drinking heavily.

It was announced earlier this week that Mr Shepherd would appear before a court in Georgia after being arrested.

His victim’s father has called Shepherd ‘crass and arrogant‘.

A bearded Shepherd in court (Reuters)
A bearded Shepherd in court (Reuters)

The family of Charlotte Brown had vowed to do anything to bring their 24-year-old daughter’s killer to justice.

Under Georgian law, Shepherd can be detained for up to nine months before any extradition.

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

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