Hope for victim’s family as speedboat killer to be extradited from Georgia
The father of Jack Shepherd’s victim believes justice is edging closer after a judge in Georgia ruled the speedboat killer must be extradited to the UK where he will begin his prison sentence.
A court in Tbilisi approved Britain’s extradition request yesterday after Shepherd said he wishes to take part in an appeal against his conviction over the death of 24-year-old Charlotte Brown.
The pair had been on a first date when Shepherd’s speedboat overturned, fatally plunging Ms Brown into the icy water of the River Thames in London.
Shepherd fled his manslaughter trial at the Old Bailey, but surrendered in Georgia six months after being found guilty in his absence.
The 31-year-old was sentenced to six years’ imprisonment but has been granted permission to appeal against the conviction.
He told the Tbilisi court that he made the “difficult decision” to not contest extradition “because I wish to participate in the appeal process, to fight for my freedom and to be reunited with those I love, my family, my son”.
However, Graham Brown said the reality was Shepherd had a weak case and “no choice” but to return, as the father celebrated the extradition ruling.
“It brings it a bit closer that we are going to get justice for Charlotte. We are pleased it appears to be coming to an end ,” mr brown told itv news.
“We’re hoping that he won’t follow through with his appeal, which causes the family more anguish, but I guess that could be a forlorn hope.” One of Shepherd’s lawyers in Georgia, Tariel Kakabadze, estimated Shepherd could return to the UK within two weeks.
Shepherd also faces a grievous bodily harm charge over an alleged assault in Devon on 16 March last year.
A warrant for his arrest was issued by magistrates in Newton Abbot after he failed to attend the court.