Jack Shepherd: UK seeks 'swift' extradition of speedboat killer
After Jack Shepherd handed himself in to police in Georgia, prosecutors begin the process of getting him to return to Britain.
Thursday 24 January 2019 07:26, UK
Efforts are under way to "swiftly" extradite Jack Shepherd after the British fugitive handed himself in to police in Georgia.
The 31-year-old surrendered at a police station in Tbilisi, the nation's capital, six months after he was convicted of killing Charlotte Brown, 24, during a date riding a speedboat on the River Thames.
She died after the speedboat overturned during a first date in December 2015 - and Shepherd was found guilty of manslaughter by gross negligence and sentenced to six years in prison in his absence.
On Wednesday night, the Crown Prosecution Service was drafting an extradition request to bring Shepherd back to the UK from the ex-Soviet state.
Home Secretary Sajid Javid said it is "vital Charlotte Brown's family see justice done".
Shepherd's lawyer, Tariel Kakabadze, said he may go before court in Tbilisi on Thursday or Friday, but suggested it may be "some time" before he returns to the UK.
He said: "Extradition doesn't happen in one or two days. All the documents will need to be translated, many things will need to be made ready.
"Depending on what evidence they show us... it might be very soon or it might be several months."
He added: "Many people have opinions which are not based on facts. Every person who is blamed of a crime has the right to efficient and good legal help.
"Criticising somebody for protecting himself is not right. He believes that he is innocent.
"As a lawyer, I believe that evidence is what we should make the decisions on. The judges should not be interrupted and they should not feel pressure from people, from politicians.
"Judges should be left to make objective decisions. Judges are the only people who should make the final decision about the case."
Ms Brown's family had led calls for Shepherd to hand himself in after he fled justice ahead of his trial at the Old Bailey - sparking an international manhunt.
On Wednesday, heavily bearded, the fugitive smiled as he walked into a police station some 2,000 miles away - flanked by lawyers.
Beforehand, he had given an interview to a local television station, during which he vowed to clear his name over the "tragic accident".
Ms Brown's father, Graham, told Sky News: "He comes across as crass and arrogant with a disregard for the rules and doing the right thing.
"He still has not accepted that he is responsible for the death of my daughter."
Shepherd, from Exeter, had been trying to impress Ms Brown after they met on the dating site OkCupid, but the boat flipped over after he handed her the controls.
Ms Brown, from Clacton-on-Sea, Essex, was recovered from the water unconscious and Shepherd was rescued after being found clinging to the upturned hull.
Shepherd's lawyer Richard Egan had refused to reveal where he is and helped him appeal against his conviction while he was on the run.