Father of speedboat crash victim warns killer that ‘justice is coming’ as manhunt for him continues

Tragic: Miss Brown, left, was killed after Shepherd's speedboat capsized
Chloe Chaplain30 July 2018
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The father of a young woman killed in a speedboat accident during a date in London has warned the boat owner that “justice is coming” after he skipped bail and fled.

An international manhunt is under way for Jack Shepherd , 30, who is wanted over the death of 24-year-old Charlotte Brown.

Shepherd faces six years' imprisonment over the death of Miss Brown, who was killed when his speedboat capsized on the Thames in December 2015.

The pair had been on their first date and drunk several bottles of wine before going on a late-night cruise on his speedboat.

Guilty: Jack Shepherd has skipped bail and is on the run
Metropolitan Police

Shepherd, who was convicted of manslaughter by gross negligence at the Old Bailey after a trial in his absence, has ignored repeated pleas by Ms Brown's family to hand himself in.

Her father, Graham Brown, 52, urged anyone with information about his whereabouts to contact police.

"Those who know something need to examine their consciences," he told The Sun. "I'm sure someone will make that call. Justice is coming, of that I'm certain."

Tragic death: Charlotte Brown was killed in the crash
PA

The paper has offered a £10,000 reward for help in finding Shepherd.

The pair met on dating website OkCupid and went out for the first time on December 8 2015.

He treated Ms Brown to a £150 meal at Oblix in the Shard, where they drank two bottles of wine.

Fighting: Charlotte Brown's mother Roz Wicken and sister Katie 
PA

The couple took a taxi back to Shepherd's home, a houseboat in Hammersmith, where they took champagne aboard the speedboat for a trip past the Houses of Parliament.

In mobile phone footage, Ms Brown could be heard shouting that they were going "so fast" as Shepherd drove at more than double the 12 knot speed limit.

On the return journey, Shepherd handed over the controls to business development consultant Ms Brown, who followed suit and went "full throttle".

The speeding boat hit a submerged log and tipped over near Wandsworth Bridge, sending both occupants into the water.

Shepherd was found clinging to the hull and Ms Brown was pulled from the water unconscious and unresponsive.

Paramedics battled in vain to save her as she was already in cardiac arrest and suffering from hypothermia.

Guilty: Jack Shepherd pictured at court before he skipped bail 
PA

The court had heard how Shepherd bought the 14ft Fletcher Arrowflyte GTO from Gumtree to "pull women".

In the months before Ms Brown's death, Shepherd had entertained up to 10 women on the 1980s model, having invited them back to his houseboat.

During that time, he had been caught speeding by marine police more than once and advised on the importance of wearing life jackets.

An arrest warrant was issued after his conviction on Friday.

Anyone with information about Shepherd's whereabouts is asked to call police on 020 8721 4005 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

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