Speedboat killer Jack Shepherd 'may contest extradition' to UK

British fugitive Jack Shepherd may contest efforts to have him extradited, his lawyer has told Sky News.

The 31-year-old from Abergavenny surrendered at a police station in the Georgian capital of Tbilisi on Wednesday, six months after he was convicted of killing Charlotte Brown, 24, during a speedboat ride on the River Thames on their first date.

Ms Brown died after the speedboat overturned during the night out in December 2015 - and Shepherd was found guilty of manslaughter by gross negligence and sentenced to six years in prison in his absence.

The Crown Prosecution Service has said it is drafting an extradition request to bring Shepherd back to the UK from Georgia, and the Metropolitan Police said extradition proceedings "will begin immediately" once his identity had been confirmed.

But, according to his lawyer, the web designer is considering fighting the extradition bid.

Tariel Kakabadze said his client believed he was innocent and that it was wrong to criticise someone for "trying to protect himself" after Shepherd vanished ahead of his trial at the Old Bailey last July - sparking an international manhunt.

Mr Kakabadze said: "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."

Earlier, Mr Kakabadze said it could be "some time" before Shepherd, from Abergavenny, returns to the UK, but said he may go before a court in Tbilisi as early as Thursday or Friday.

"Extradition doesn't happen in one or two days," he said.

"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."

Home Secretary Sajid Javid and Prime Minister Theresa May are among the government figures to have commented on the case, with the former saying it is "vital Charlotte Brown's family see justice done".

The family had led calls for Shepherd to hand himself in.

Shepherd had told a local Georgian TV station that he was determined to clear his name over the "tragic accident".

He appeared to smile to for the cameras as he walked into a police station on Wednesday - flanked by lawyers and sporting a heavy beard.

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."

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 UK lawyer Richard Egan had refused to reveal where he was during his disappearance and helped him appeal against his conviction while he was on the run.

© Sky News 2019