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Thames speedboat date death victim was 'sure it's safe' Woman killed when speedboat 'seduction routine' went wrong
(about 1 hour later)
A woman who died after falling from a speedboat while on a first date told her friend "I'm sure it's safe" shortly before she ended up in the River Thames, a court has heard. A man's "seduction routine" went horribly wrong when his speedboat capsized on the Thames and his date was killed, a court has heard.
Jack Shepherd, 30, of Paddington, is accused of Charlotte Brown's manslaughter after both fell from his boat on 8 December 2015.Jack Shepherd, 30, of Paddington, is accused of Charlotte Brown's manslaughter after both fell from his boat on 8 December 2015.
The pair went on the boat after ordering two bottles of wine during an earlier dinner, a jury was told. The pair went on the vessel after ordering two bottles of wine during dinner, the Old Bailey was told.
Mr Shepherd denies manslaughter. Mr Shepherd denies manslaughter by gross negligence.
Police were called to reports of someone in distress near Wandsworth Bridge at about 23:45 BST. Ms Brown, 24, from London, died later in hospital.Police were called to reports of someone in distress near Wandsworth Bridge at about 23:45 BST. Ms Brown, 24, from London, died later in hospital.
The Old Bailey heard the business development consultant sent a message to her sister and her friend before leaving the Shard where the pair had dinner, saying: "He's taking me for a ride on his speedboat down the Thames. I'm sure it's safe and he's paying for my cab home.". The jury heard the pair had met hours earlier online and had been for a dinner at The Shard before going to Mr Shepherd's houseboat.
They then allegedly took a bottle of champagne on board the web designer's speedboat for a ride towards Westminster and back.
Prosecutor Aftab Jafferjee QC told jurors "the defendant's use of his speedboat to all intents and purposes as part of his seduction routine... went horribly wrong".
"In pursuing that single-minded objective his attitude to safety and his responsibilities to all on board... was so significantly compromised that it resulted in the death of a young woman."
The Old Bailey heard before leaving the Shard, Ms Brown sent a message to her sister and her friend saying: "He's taking me for a ride on his speedboat down the Thames. I'm sure it's safe and he's paying for my cab home."
More messages were exchanged as the night continued, with one saying they were on the boat with champagne, the jury heard.More messages were exchanged as the night continued, with one saying they were on the boat with champagne, the jury heard.
Aftab Jafferjee QC, who opened the case for the prosecution, said this had not been the first occasion Mr Shepherd had taken women on his speedboat. Mr Jafferjee said it had not been the first occasion Mr Shepherd had taken women on his speedboat.
Mr Shepherd told police in an interview the day after the incident that he got the speedboat with the intention of "trying to pull women", the court heard. Mr Shepherd told police in an interview the day after the speedboat capsized that he bought it with the intention of "trying to pull women", the court heard.
Mr Shepherd, who had met Ms Brown on a dating website, allowed her to take the wheel of the speedboat knowing she was affected by alcohol, Mr Jafferjee said, adding: "It was cold, it was dark and it was, we submit, sheer madness. The 22-year-old allowed his date to take the wheel of the speedboat knowing she was affected by alcohol, Mr Jafferjee said, adding: "It was cold, it was dark and it was, we submit, sheer madness.
"He did nothing to prevent her from speeding herself." "He did nothing to prevent her from speeding."
His boat, the court heard, had a number of defects, with life jackets - although not a legal requirement - tucked away out of sight and their availability "not made known to Charlotte". Jurors heard Mr Shepherd had been speeding at about twice the 12-knot limit that night.
His boat also had a number of defects, with life jackets - although not a legal requirement - tucked away out of sight and their availability "not made known to Charlotte".
The defendant had previously been stopped twice by police on the river who "impressed upon him the importance of making sure life jackets were worn by those on board", the court heard.
The trial continues.The trial continues.