Fugitive speedboat owner who killed woman on River Thames during first date sentenced to jail

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A “cowardly” speedboat owner who crashed and killed a woman on their first date, has been sentenced to a six-years in his absence after going on the run.

Jack Shepherd was found guilty of manslaughter over the death of 24-year-old Charlotte Brown in December 2015.

After meeting her on the website OkCupid, London's Old Bailey heard that he had been trying to impress Brown, his date, with champagne and a ride in his boat.

After encouraging her to take the wheel, the craft capsized near Wandsworth Bridge in central London after hitting a log.

They were both thrown into the cold water and Ms Brown died after she was pulled from the river unconscious and unresponsive, the jury was told.

Police have been unable to track Shepherd down after he skipped bail and was not in court to face sentence, despite pleas from his victim’s family.

His own barrister, Stephen Vullo QC, said his refusal to face Ms Brown’s relatives from the dock had been an act of “cowardice”.

Reading an emotional victim impact statement in court, her mother, Roz Wickens, said: “I want Jack Shepherd to know that when he’s enjoying himself with his family, I in fact am not enjoying myself and never will.

“The truth is I will be visiting Charlotte’s grave. Also, if it was a dreadful accident, as he has claimed, why hasn’t he explained what happened that night and at least sent his condolences. The fact is, if Charlotte had not met him she would still be alive today. The empty hole that has been left in my heart is huge and is agony.

“I will continue to feel pain, distress, emotion and anguish until I take my final breath.”

Handing down his sentence, Judge Richard Marks QC said Shepherd demonstrated a “totally cavalier attitude to safety”.

“I’m satisfied that at the time of the collision the boat was being driven in excess of the speed limit although I cannot be certain of the extent to which that was the case,” he said. "What is clear beyond doubt in my judgment is the defendant should never have allowed Charlotte to drive the boat at any time.

“She had been drinking, it was dark, and he must have known the river potentially contained hazards ... she had no previous boating experience at all.”

The court heard Shepherd married a childhood friend shortly after the speedboat crash and now has a two-year-old child.

But the relationship broke down and Shepherd has struggled to gain work because of his drinking and links to the case, his barrister said.

Speaking outside court, detective sergeant Christopher Davis said: “I have to say we are all very happy – police and family are pleasantly surprised with that sentence today. I think it reiterated the seriousness of the offence and the recklessness of Jack Shepherd’s actions on the night in question ... The family are very relieved that justice has been done today.”

A manhunt has been launched for Shepherd, who has a warrant out for his arrest.

“We have had indications but it would be wrong to speculate at this time, but we are open to the fact he may be in or out of the country,” Det Sgt Davis added.

Additional reporting by PA