Global manhunt to jail 'cowardly' speedboat owner who killed date in crash

An international manhunt has been launched to find a “cowardly” speedboat owner sentenced to six years’ imprisonment in his absence for killing his date in a crash on the River Thames.

Jack Shepherd, 30, had been trying to impress 24-year-old Charlotte Brown after meeting her on dating website OkCupid, the Old Bailey heard.

But their champagne-fuelled first date ended in tragedy when his boat crashed and capsized and she was thrown into the cold water in December 2015.

Shepherd, originally from Exeter, was convicted in his absence of the manslaughter of Ms Brown by gross negligence. He was today sentenced to six years in prison.

But her family pleaded with him to attend court today.

Ms Brown’s sister Katie Brown said in a statement on behalf of the family: “The immense pain and anguish we feel will never pass and our grief will last a lifetime.”

She added: “We now appeal to Jack Shepherd wherever he is in the world to return and assume the responsibility of his guilt and the devastation he caused by his actions that fateful night – we appeal to Jack Shepherd’s family and friends to appeal to him and urge him to face the consequences of his actions.”

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His lawyer Stephen Vullo said: “The reason he had not attended is simply cowardice.

“He could not face the Brown family from the dock and explain to them.

“It’s cowardice, it’s not an affront to them or this court.

“His inability to face the responsibility and the Brown family, knowing how they have suffered, lead him to not attend.”

The court had heard how Shepherd had bought the 14ft Fletcher Arrowflyte GTO from Gumtree to “pull women”.

In the months before Charlotte’s death, he had entertained up to 10 women on the 1980s model, having invited them back to his houseboat in Hammersmith.

During that time, he had been caught speeding by marine police more than once and advised on the importance of wearing life jackets.

Shepherd had tried to impress Charlotte with a £150 meal at the Oblix restaurant at the Shard, before taking her back to his houseboat where they drank more alcohol.

After speeding towards the Houses of Parliament at 30 knots – well above the 12 knot limit – he says he let Charlotte take control of the boat.

Soon afterwards the boat crashed; Shepherd was found clinging to the upturned hull, while Charlotte was found in the water nearby. She was pronounced dead in hospital, with cold water immersion given as the cause of death.