Jack Shepherd: Speedboat killer allowed to flee justice 'without consequence' as judges quash bail conviction

Court of Appeal dismisses appeal against manslaughter conviction but quashes sentence for skipping bail

Judges have been accused of letting speedboat killer Jack Shepherd evade justice "without consequence".

His victim's family spoke out after the Court of Appeal quashed his six-month prison sentence for breaching bail on a technicality.

Shepherd, 31, stayed in contact with lawyers after fleeing the UK ahead of his manslaughter trial and launched an appeal while still on the run.

Relatives of Charlotte Brown said Shepherd had prolonged their “anguish and pain” while failing to show remorse.

Her sister, Katie Brown, said the family found it “difficult to accept” that he had avoided punishment for skipping bail.

“Despite all sense and logic, he appears to have been able to abscond without penalty,” she said. "What deterrent is this to other criminals not to do the same?"

Her father, Graham Brown, said: "It does seem bizarre to the layman that he has been able to abscond to Georgia without consequence.

“I think it is very important that that bit is looked at and that people should face consequences for not appearing at their trial.”

He said the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) has indicated it would bring further proceedings against Shepherd for the bail breach.

He was convicted of gross negligence manslaughter and jailed for six years in absentia, but remained at large until he turned himself into Georgian police in January.

He was extradited to the UK and given an extra six months in prison for breaching bail, but the Court of Appeal quashed the sentence on a technicality.

Judges ruled it was a “nullity” due to a paperwork error when Shepherd’s extradition was requested from Georgian authorities.

Sir Brian Leveson said English courts had no jurisdiction to deal with the offence, because his transfer was formally presented in relation to the death of Ms Brown and a separate charge of wounding with intent, and not for the breach of bail.

The senior judge said Shepherd may still face further proceedings in relation to his “egregious breach” at a later date.

Jack Shepherd escorted by Georgian authorities to airport following his extradition to the UK (AFP/Getty Images)

Sir Brian, sitting with Justice Jeremy Baker and Justice Justine Thornton, threw out arguments that Shepherd’s manslaughter conviction was unsafe.

At a hearing last week, his lawyers argued that evidence from a police interview immediately after the fatal crash where he was not cautioned or offered a solicitor should not have been used.

But the Court of Appeal found the use of the interview by prosecutors “did not impact unfairly” on Shepherd's trial.

“At the time of the interview, [a police officer] did not believe an offence had been committed and, had he done so, he would have cautioned the appellant,” Sir Brian said.

The ruling revealed that Shepherd “communicated with his solicitors that he did not intend to attend the trial” before it was due to start in June 2018, and remained in touch with them throughout the proceedings.

Shepherd’s lawyers denied knowing his location amid widespread outrage as they launched the appeal in August.

Following his return from Georgia, Shepherd appeared at the Old Bailey in April and was sentenced to an additional six months for breaching bail.

He was imprisoned for a further four years at Exeter Crown Court earlier this month after he admitted attacking a barman with a glass bottle.

His victim’s sister said Shepherd had caused the family “further anguish and pain whilst he lived a normal life” for 10 months on the run.

Ms Brown said her sister was dead “because of Shepherd's negligence and reckless actions”, adding: "He hasn't once shown any remorse or respect to our family, or to the legal system, or to even Charlie."

Her father said: "I think the right decision has been made and as a family we are very relieved that the appeal has not been upheld."

The family told reporters gathered outside the Royal Courts of Justice in London that the family will continue their campaign for a change in the laws governing waterways.

The CPS said it was “considering options” on how to proceed against Shepherd for the bail offence and secure formal consent from Georgian authorities.

“Shepherd has sought to evade responsibility for his reckless actions in December 2015, further compounding the grief of his victim’s family,” a spokesperson added.

“Today’s ruling should underline beyond doubt how his negligence led directly to Charlotte Brown’s death and that the CPS brought the appropriate charge. We hope it brings her family some comfort.”

Ms Brown was 24 when she went on her first date with Shepherd in London in December 2015.

They were both drunk when the web developer – who earned £150,000 a year - took her without a lifejacket on the speedboat he bought to “pull women”.

Shepherd did not warn her of a steering defect before handing her the controls on a dark winter night.

Ms Brown died after the boat hit submerged debris in the Thames and flipped over.