Website developer accused of killing woman he met on OK Cupid after she fell from his speedboat and drowned on their first date fails to appear for start of manslaughter trial

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Website developer accused of killing woman he met on OK Cupid after she fell from his speedboat and drowned on their first date fails to appear for start of manslaughter trial

Miss Brown, a business development consultant, from Welling, southeast London, had met Shepherd on a dating site and were alone together in his boat when the accident occurred

A website developer accused of killing his date after she fell from his speedboat and drowned has not turned up for the start of his manslaughter trial.

Jack Shepherd, 30, and Charlotte Brown, 24, were hurled into the icy Thames near Wandsworth Bridge on December 8, 2015, after a dinner date at the Shard.

Miss Brown, a business development consultant, from Welling, southeast London, had met Shepherd on a dating site and were alone together in his boat when the accident occurred.

Police were called to reports of someone in distress near the bridge, and officers from the Marine Support Unit scoured the area alongside the National Police Air Service and lifeboat crews from the RNLI.

Miss Brown, affectionately known to her friends and family as Charli, died later in hospital after they were both pulled from the water at 11.45pm.

The cause of death was given as cold water immersion and intoxication.

Shepherd, who denies manslaughter, failed to attend the Old Bailey today as 12 jurors were sworn in to try the case against him.

This is a case about a speedboat incident on the Thames that occurred in December 2015 in which the passenger was killed,’ prosecutor Aftab Jafferjee QC said introducing the case.

The Common Serjeant, Judge Richard Marks QC, told the jury: ‘You will see that the dock, where the defendant ordinarily sits, is empty.

‘You must not speculate about the reason for the defendant’s absence.

Shepherd, who denies manslaughter, failed to attend the Old Bailey today as 12 jurors were sworn in to try the case against him. Pictured outside court in October

Charlotte, affectionately known to her friends and family as Charli, died in hospital after they were both pulled from the water at 11.45pm

Recovered: The speedboat was pictured at Putney Embankment on the River Thames following the incident

‘Nor must you hold his absence against him.

‘His absence is in no way probative of his guilt of the charge, nor does it add anything to the prosecution case against him.

‘I can tell you that in an earlier hearing he pleaded not guilty to the charge.

‘You will see that he is represented and as you will see when the trial gets underway his lawyers are in a position where they are able to conduct his defence.

‘In due course, at the end of the case when I sum the case up to you I will give you further directions about this aspect of the case.’

The judge also directed jurors to ignore media reports of the trial and put emotion to one side.

Ms Brown’s father, Graham Brown, and mother, Roz Wickens, sat in the well of the court to see the trial begin.

Shepherd, from Abergavenny, Wales, denies manslaughter by gross negligence.

Mr Jafferjee will open the case tomorrow morning.