SPEEDBOAT KILLER CAUGHT AT LAST
SMIRKING fugitive Jack Shepherd finally gave himself up last night after 10 months hiding from justice in the former Soviet Union.
The speedboat killer was seen grinning after being found by TV reporters in Georgia – sparking an outcry back in Britain at his “smug” and “arrogant” appearance .
He was on the run when he was sentenced to six years at the Old Bailey last July after being convicted of the manslaughter of Tinder date Charlotte Brown on the Thames.
His defective speedboat – which he used to “pull women” – flipped over in December 2015 and while he was rescued, Charlotte died from immersion in the icy river.
Sickening footage last night showed Shepherd, now 31, in Tbilisi seeking to proclaim his innocence and portray himself as a victim.
Offering no apology he told the Rustavi-2 television channel: “My name is Jack Shepherd. I was involved in a tragic accident in the United Kingdom in which a lady called Charlotte Brown sadly died.”
Indicating he plans to appeal against his conviction and sentence he added: “In six months, I hope that justice will be done, I’ll be able to succeed and everyone can move forward with their lives.”
Claiming media coverage of the case was “very hurtful” he whinged: Shepherd at time of the boat crash
“They print that I ‘let her drown’. They suggest I was just crying, ‘Help me, help me’.
“Charlotte was driving the boat when the accident happened but this fact was forgotten and the media did not mention it either. Quite the opposite, they wrote that I was driving.
“This is not true and the court has recognised this but the press wrote that allegedly it was I who caused the death.
“Some even wrote that Charlotte was crying and asking me to help her while I did nothing. Witnesses too know that my main concern then was Charlotte.”
Later Shepherd, sporting a bushy beard and wearing a black and white checked scarf, handed himself in to Georgian police for expected extradition to Britain:
Shepherd, originally from Exeter, was found in Georgia after a media hunt sparked by complaints that Scotland Yard had failed to follow up a tip he was hiding there.
The TV channel boasted that they had located him before police.
He had flown in secret to Georgia last March via Istanbul.
Earlier this week 24-year-old Charlotte’s parents Graham Brown and Roz Wickens, and her sister Katie, had met Home Secretary Sajid Javid to demand Shepherd be brought to justice.
Father Graham said he cried and experienced “an overwhelming sense of emotion” when he heard the fugitive had surrendered.
He told BBC radio: “The call has come out of the blue following the visit to the Home Secretary and crikey, it’s just so overwhelming, such a sense of relief really. It’s really, really good news.”
Charlotte’s sister Katie said after watching Georgian TV clips: “I feel very surprised at how smug he looks to be honest. It just shows a very arrogant man.
“I don’t understand how someone can go on the run and be found guilty and still then just walk straight in with a very smug look on his face and claim his innocence. It’s unbelievable.”
She added: “It doesn’t bring Charlie back but we’re very relieved that he’s handed himself in. The fight still seems to continue with our campaign to change the laws to prevent this from happening again.
“We’re in shock over it. He still doesn’t seem to be taking responsibility and he has been found guilty of manslaughter. He thinks he’s the victim still.”
Home Secretary Mr Javid tweeted: “I welcome the news that Jack Shepherd is in police custody in Georgia. We will seek to swiftly extradite him to Britain. It is vital Charlotte Brown’s family see justice done.”
Charlotte died on her first date with Shepherd after he wined and dined her in central London and then took her out late at night in his unsafe red speedboat.
The boat flipped at high speed, possibly after striking a log. At the time Shepherd was engaged to another woman who is now his wife.
During court sessions at taxpayers’ expense he communicated with his legal team in secret by internet.
The Georgian embassy in London confirmed he had surrendered to police. Last night Britain was seeking to formally confirm his identity and begin extradition proceedings.