Family protest at speedboat killer’s memoir on Amazon

AMAZON is facing pressure after a memoir of Jack Shepherd, known as the “speedboat killer”, provoked an outcry from his victim’s family.

Graham Brown, whose daughter Charlotte died after falling out of the boat while on a date with Shepherd, called the book an “insult” to his grieving family.

Shepherd, 35, is thought to have written the book with a friend while serving a six-year prison sentence for the 24-year-old’s manslaughter.

The book, which covers the events around Ms Brown’s death in detail while changing the names of the people involved, was reportedly self-published by being uploaded to Amazon’s Kindle store and was available for £3.99. Amazon declined a request to comment.

Mr Brown said: “Jack Shepherd has shown no empathy or remorse for the terrible events which led to Charlotte’s death. He is a proven liar and this is another example of Shepherd trying to convince himself he is innocent.

“A a jury at the Old Bailey found him guilty. This is another insult to the family, and I’ve no doubt that Shepherd’s version in the book is a complete fabrication and full of lies.”

Ms Brown died in 2015 after falling off the speeding boat into the Thames. After her death, Shepherd fled the UK for Georgia as he faced trial for manslaughter but was convicted in his absence in 2018. He was tracked down to the former Soviet republic in 2019 and extradited to Britain to serve his sentence.

‘I’ve no doubt that Shepherd’s version in the book is a complete fabrication and full of lies’

The book, which has been seen by the Daily Mail, is described as a “fictionalised” account of Shepherd’s life in the build-up to the death as well as his flight from justice. The case has raised questions about how Shepherd and his friend were allowed to publish the book.

A Prison Service spokesman said: “Prisoners are never allowed to profit from their crimes and we take whatever steps are necessary to prevent it – including legal action if needed.”