Jack Shepherd, the speedboat killer convicted of manslaughter, may be released from prison again within weeks after being granted a new parole hearing. The 38-year-old was originally sentenced to ten years for the death of Charlotte Brown, but was released halfway through his term. He was recalled to prison last month for breaching his release conditions, though the details remain unclear.
Shepherd, a web designer from Exeter, Devon, will now appear before a parole panel, with a hearing expected before Christmas. If successful, he could be back on the streets shortly after. The news is likely to anger Ms Brown's family, who had previously said prison was 'the best place' for him.
Ms Brown's father, Graham, previously stated: 'He's back where he belongs. Prison is the best place for this man. I've always believed that Shepherd is a narcissist.' Shepherd was jailed for six years for the manslaughter of Ms Brown, who died after being thrown from his poorly maintained speedboat on the River Thames in December 2015 during a champagne-fuelled first date.
After the incident, Shepherd fled to Georgia and was tried in his absence in July 2018. He is now expected to argue that he is no longer a danger to the public. Ms Brown's mother, Roz Wickens, expressed her ongoing anguish, saying: 'Only he knows what really happened as Charlotte cannot speak for herself.'
A Parole Board spokesperson confirmed that the review is following standard processes, stating: 'Parole Board decisions are solely focused on what risk a prisoner could represent to the public if released and whether that risk is manageable in the community.'
