Accused fails to appear at speedboat death trial

A BUSINESSMAN accused of killing his online date in a speedboat crash on the Thames was not present on the first day of his manslaughter trial.

Jack Shepherd, 30, was charged over the death of 24-year-old Charlotte Brown whom he met on the dating website Okcupid.

Mr Shepherd and Ms Brown had dined at the Shard before going on board his boat during the early hours of Dec 9 2015. Both fell into the river near Wandsworth Bridge in central London.

Mr Shepherd, of west London, was charged with one count of manslaughter by gross negligence nearly two years later. At the Old Bailey yesterday, a jury was sworn in to try the case and was told Mr Shepherd, who denies the charge, was not in the dock.

Judge Richard Marks QC warned the jury not to speculate on why the defendant had not attended the hearing. The trial continues.