Police ask public for help to track down fugitive convicted of causing woman’s speedboat death

CHARLOTTE BROWN: Victim died in December 2015 after being thrown into the icy River Thames. POLICE HAVE conceded they have no idea about the whereabouts of fugitive Jack Shepherd, who disappeared part way through his Old Bailey trial over the death of his date Charlotte Brown.

The web designer has been at large ever since being convicted in his absence of manslaughter by gross negligence last July.

Detectives say Shepherd may be using secret bank accounts belonging to friends or relatives in order to finance his life on the run, but admit he could be anywhere in the world.

Shepherd was sentenced to six years in prison after being found culpable over the death of the 24-year-old, known as Charli.

Ms Brown died when Shepherd handed her the controls of his shabby speed boat – she struck a submerged log which tipped the boat into the icy waters of the Thames in December 2015.

The Metropolitan Police said there was “no tangible trace” of Shepherd since he last appeared in court, despite him contacting his lawyers to appeal the conviction.

Detective Chief Inspector Mick Norman said: “There have been a number of rumours that he is being harboured abroad by friends but we have no evidence this is the case.

He joined the victim’s family in reiterating calls for those harbouring or assisting the fugitive to come forward.

He said: “We need the continued assistance of the public.”

The Old Bailey heard how Shepherd had bought the 14ft Fletcher Arrowflyte GTO craft from online selling platform Gumtree to “pull women”.

In the months before Ms Brown’s death, he had entertained up to 10 women on the 1980s model, having invited them back to his houseboat.