‘Casanova’ in hiding over fatal speed boat tragedy

A “champagne Casanova” is in hiding after being found guilty of killing his date in a speedboat accident on the Thames.

Web designer Jack Shepherd, 30, had been trying to impress 24-year-old Charlotte Brown after meeting her on dating website Okcupid.

But their champagnefuelled first date ended in tragedy when his boat capsized and she was thrown into the river in December 2015.

The speeding boat hit a submerged log and tipped over near Wandsworth Bridge, sending both occupants into the water.

Shepherd, originally from Exeter, had denied manslaughter by gross negligence, but was found guilty in his absence at the Old Bailey.

It can now be reported that he skipped bail and failed to attend his trial.

Despite issuing instructions to his legal team by phone, police were unable to track him down and his whereabouts remain unknown.

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

In the months before Ms Brown’s death, he had entertained up to ten women in the 1980s-model boat.