Jack Shepherd: Speedboat killer pleads GUILTY to breaching bail after returning to UK
JACK Shepherd the speedboat killer has admitted breaching his bail conditions after fleeing to Georgia to avoid his trial for the manslaughter of Charlotte Brown.
Jack Shepherd feels responsible ‘in part’ for death
The 31-year-old returned to the UK last night, and appeared in the Old Bailey this morning. Wearing a dark suit, light shirt and no tie and flanked by two guards, he admitted breaching bail and absconding. He came face to face with Ms Brown’s parents and sisters, who sat at the side of the court with a clear view of Shepherd. Shepherd last appeared at the Old Bailey in 2017 where he denied manslaughter.
Ms Brown, 24, and Shepherd had been on their first date when her death happened in December 2015.
After enjoying glasses of champagne the pair went aboard Shepherd’s speedboat on the River Thames.
At his trial, which Shepherd did not attend, it was claimed the vessel was defective and overturned after hitting a log.
The impact launched Ms Brown into the water and led ultimately to her death.
He was convicted in his absence of manslaughter.
READ MORE: Speedboat killer Jack Shepherd agrees to be extradited back to UK
During his sentencing he was committed to prison for six years.
When Shepherd arrived back in the UK late last night, he was taken from Gatwick airport by the Metropolitan Police. As he returned Shepherd said he had acted on "emotion and fear" when he fled the UK and now wants to "make amends".
Angela Deal, head of extradition at the Crown Prosecution Service, said: "Jack Shepherd has returned to the UK to face justice following close co-operation between the CPS Extradition Unit, UK colleagues and the Georgian authorities, to ensure a successful extradition."
Home Secretary Sajid Javid thanked Georgian authorities after Shepherd arrived back in the UK.
He said: "My thanks to the Georgian authorities for their assistance in extraditing Jack Shepherd to the UK.
"Charlotte Brown's family have endured immeasurable pain & are now one step closer to getting the justice they deserve."
The 31-year-old's disappearance sparked an international manhunt, with authorities across the world searching for him.
Shepherd is due to appear at the Old Bailey on Thursday morning.
Speaking to reporters, Shepherd said he was challenging the conviction and added: “There really have been some complete untruths, in particular this idea that I let her drown, that I did nothing to help her, this could not be further from the truth."