Speedboat killer Jack Shepherd has been sentenced to six months for skipping bail, to be served consecutively to his six year sentence for the manslaughter of Charlotte Brown.
Shepherd pleaded guilty at the Old Bailey on Thursday to breaching bail and absconding before his trial for the manslaughter of Brown, whom he was on a first date with when she was killed.
The 31-year-old attended the hearing after being successfully extradited from Georgia. It was the first time he had come face-to-face with Brown’s parents and sisters since fleeing the country.
Shepherd was arrested and taken into custody at a London police station after touching down at Gatwick Airport at 9.22pm on Wednesday evening after 10 months on the run.
Shepherd’s counsel Andrew McGee told the court he understood his client had travelled to Georgia - where he surrendered to authorities - in March 2018.
He said his client travelled “under his own name, using his own passport”.
McGee said his client was “overwhelmed by his fear” of a prison sentence.
He said: “The most important thing I have to say is Jack Shepherd genuinely regrets and is ashamed of his decision not to attempt his trial or sentence... and the effect his absconding caused on the Brown family.
“He’s deeply sorry for it as he is for his involvement in the deeply tragic events of December 2015.”
Shepherd’s lawyer told the court he had “ultimately chosen to acquiesce to extradition” against legal advice in Georgia and said the judge should take note of his guilty plea.
Judge Marks responded: “The case is overwhelming, unanswerable, however you are entitled to one third discount.”
As he began his sentencing, Judge Marks told Shepherd: “Charlotte’s family were, of course, devastated by the circumstances by which she met her death, and those feelings were greatly exacerbated by the fact you chose to go on the run.”
The judge described how Shepherd was in contact with his lawyers from his “hideaway” during legal proceedings.
He said: “I was presented by your counsel with a detailed statement from you.
“You were, in effect, having your cake and eating it. That is not how our system of justice is supposed to work.
Shepherd looked down as the sentence of six months was read out and left the dock without looking at either the public gallery or Brown’s family.
Speaking outside court, Brown’s tearful sister Katie said: “As a family we are relieved that Jack Shepherd is now back in the country and commencing his prison sentence. It’s a step closer to justice for Charlie.
“Shepherd has continued to prolong our agony...His lack of respect and decency continues to astound us.”
“I feel throughout the whole process that he continues to be in denial of any kind of responsibility, as though he’s almost convinced himself he’s the victim.”
Her father, Graham Brown, thanked the police, the Georgian authorities and the press following the hearing.
He added: “Due to Shepherd’s recklessness and negligence, Charlotte isn’t here to defend herself.
“There is a sense of relief, finally, that we are going to get some justice for Charlotte.
“To us he has shown no remorse and he hasn’t taken any responsibility for the dreadful actions he caused that night. Charlotte would still be here today if wasn’t for Shepherd.”
Shepherd was wanted to serve a six-year prison sentence over the death of Brown, 24, during a late-night speedboat ride down the River Thames in December 2015.
A jury found him guilty of manslaughter by gross negligence in his absence after he skipped bail last summer.
He made his last appearance before the Old Bailey in November 2017 to deny manslaughter.
Speaking ahead of today’s hearing, Home Secretary Sajid Javid thanked the Georgian authorities for their assistance on Twitter, adding: “Charlotte Brown’s family have endured immeasurable pain & are now one step closer to getting the justice they deserve.”
Thanking police and the Georgian internal affairs minister, Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt tweeted: “I often speak out about injustice faced by Brits overseas, but today I celebrate a Brit coming home to face justice. My thanks to Georgia @GakhariaGiorgi & @metpoliceuk @NCA_UK for bringing back Jack Shepherd.”
Shepherd’s trial heard that he had been drinking champagne on a first date with Brown when they went on the speedboat ride.
His 14ft Fletcher Arrowflyte boat had a series of defects and was speeding when it overturned near Wandsworth Bridge, throwing Brown to her death in the water.
Shepherd, originally from Exeter, was plucked from the cold river. The web designer was sentenced in his absence last year.
Asked why he did not stay to defend himself in court, he said: “I wasn’t thinking at the time, I was acting on emotion and fear and I made a mistake.
“But now I’m trying to make amends.”
Shepherd added that he regretted not speaking to Brown’s family sooner, calling it his “second biggest mistake” after taking out the boat that night.