Jack Shepherd, the speedboat killer, is to be released from prison six months early, according to reports. The decision has sparked outrage from the victim’s family and campaigners who argue that Shepherd has shown no remorse or regret for his actions. The 32-year-old was convicted of manslaughter by gross negligence in July 2018 after his speedboat crashed on the River Thames, killing 24-year-old Charlotte Brown. He fled the country before his trial and was sentenced in absentia to six years in prison. In this article, we will delve into the controversial case of Jack Shepherd and explore the implications of his early release.
Speedboat killer, Jack Shepherd, is set to be released from prison in January 2021 after serving only half of his six-year sentence. In 2015, his speedboat crashed on the Thames resulting in the death of his date, Charlotte Brown, who was 24 at the time. Shepherd was found guilty of manslaughter by gross negligence in July 2018 while he was on the run in Georgia.
Shepherd disappeared before his trial, and it was only in January 2019 that he surrendered to the authorities in Tbilisi. The Sun newspaper had offered a reward of £10,000 for his capture. Shepherd is also serving a four-year consecutive sentence for assaulting a soldier with a bottle in 2018.
Charlotte Brown’s father, Graham, said that “the family is devastated. We will never get over it. She would’ve been 31 this month. We miss her terribly. Shepherd has shown no remorse.” Graham’s comments highlight the family’s upset at the criminal justice system over the leniency of Shepherd’s sentence.
Despite the outrage, the authorities appear to have followed the law in releasing Shepherd. A Ministry of Justice source said: “He has kept his head down and quietly done his time. He knows that a determinate sentence means his case doesn’t have to go to the Parole Board for its approval. If he behaves, then there is no reason to keep him in jail beyond his halfway point. He will be free to simply walk out the door.”
The situation raises questions about the fairness of the justice system in determining sentences. Sentences in the UK are determinate or indeterminate. A determinate sentence is a fixed period decided by the judge, such as the six-year sentence given to Shepherd. At the halfway point of a determinate sentence, most prisoners are released on licence, which means they must comply with certain conditions, such as having regular meetings with a probation officer.
An indeterminate sentence means that a prisoner can only be released with permission from the Parole Board. Indeterminate sentences were abolished in 2012 except for individuals convicted of serious crimes such as murder, where a whole-life tariff is imposed.
The Shepherd case highlights the argument that some determinate sentences can be too lenient, particularly for serious crimes such as manslaughter. Critics say that such sentences do not reflect the severity of the crime and are not a deterrent. Those campaigning for longer sentences say there is a need for tougher sentencing laws to reduce the number of serious crimes in the UK.
Although Shepherd will soon be released from prison, the legal system might not be finished with him. He fled the UK, breached his bail, and was sentenced in absentia, suggesting that he has not shown respect for the law or the court. Graham Brown believes that Shepherd should be prosecuted for absconding, although this seems unlikely given the time that has passed since his escape.
The case also highlights the impact of crime on victims’ families. Charlotte Brown’s family has been left devastated by her death, and they feel that they have no justice. Graham Brown says, “We need changes, and it has to be in the right direction. People like Shepherd just can’t be let back out into the community without some sort of punishment for absconding.”
The case has sparked renewed calls for changes to the justice system. Some argue that determinate sentences are too lenient; others suggest that the problem lies not with the law but with the way it is applied. Whatever the solution, the fact remains that a young woman tragically lost her life, and her family feels that justice has not been served.
