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| Speedboat in Thames 'first date' death shown to Old Bailey jury | Speedboat in Thames 'first date' death shown to Old Bailey jury |
| (2 months later) | |
| A speedboat that capsized, killing a young woman on a first date, has been displayed at the Old Bailey in what could be a legal first. | A speedboat that capsized, killing a young woman on a first date, has been displayed at the Old Bailey in what could be a legal first. |
| Jack Shepherd, a web designer, bought the red 14ft Fletcher Arrowflyte GTO to “pull women”, the court previously heard. | Jack Shepherd, a web designer, bought the red 14ft Fletcher Arrowflyte GTO to “pull women”, the court previously heard. |
| In December 2015, he had been trying to impress Charlotte Brown, 23, with a trip past the Houses of Parliament after a meal at the Shard. | In December 2015, he had been trying to impress Charlotte Brown, 23, with a trip past the Houses of Parliament after a meal at the Shard. |
| But after he handed her the wheel on their return journey, the boat hit a log and capsized, pitching the pair into the cold waters of the River Thames. | But after he handed her the wheel on their return journey, the boat hit a log and capsized, pitching the pair into the cold waters of the River Thames. |
| Shepherd, 30, who is originally from Exeter, is on trial in his absence charged with Brown’s manslaughter by gross negligence, which he denies. | Shepherd, 30, who is originally from Exeter, is on trial in his absence charged with Brown’s manslaughter by gross negligence, which he denies. |
| The prosecution alleges the 75-horsepower vessel, which had been moored beside Shepherd’s houseboat in Hammersmith, had a number of defects and had been speeding before the crash. | The prosecution alleges the 75-horsepower vessel, which had been moored beside Shepherd’s houseboat in Hammersmith, had a number of defects and had been speeding before the crash. |
| On Monday the speedboat was transported on a trailer into the Old Bailey car park to be produced as a court exhibit. Jurors were taken from the courtroom to inspect it, accompanied by lawyers and the judge, Richard Marks QC, as well as reporters. | On Monday the speedboat was transported on a trailer into the Old Bailey car park to be produced as a court exhibit. Jurors were taken from the courtroom to inspect it, accompanied by lawyers and the judge, Richard Marks QC, as well as reporters. |
| Earlier, the court heard from the port authority surveyor Andrew Thomas, who compiled a report on the speedboat. | Earlier, the court heard from the port authority surveyor Andrew Thomas, who compiled a report on the speedboat. |
| Thomas pointed out the four-person 1980s vessel had impact damage to the starboard bow. He said the cockpit windscreen showed general deterioration and the plywood seat bases had been damaged by water over time. | Thomas pointed out the four-person 1980s vessel had impact damage to the starboard bow. He said the cockpit windscreen showed general deterioration and the plywood seat bases had been damaged by water over time. |
| The kill cord on the boat was poorly maintained and had no attachment, jurors heard. Thomas also said the steering wheel had a “degree of play”, giving it a “good deal of wobble backwards and forwards”. | The kill cord on the boat was poorly maintained and had no attachment, jurors heard. Thomas also said the steering wheel had a “degree of play”, giving it a “good deal of wobble backwards and forwards”. |
| The lifejackets were still tucked away at the front of the boat, where they had been stored at the time of the crash, the court was told. | The lifejackets were still tucked away at the front of the boat, where they had been stored at the time of the crash, the court was told. |
| Jurors were shown a video of tests on the water, in which the boat reached a speed of 29.9 knots at 75% throttle. The speed limit on the stretch of the Thames where the accident happened is 12 knots. | Jurors were shown a video of tests on the water, in which the boat reached a speed of 29.9 knots at 75% throttle. The speed limit on the stretch of the Thames where the accident happened is 12 knots. |
| Thomas told jurors that tests showed there was a “pronounced pull to starboard”. The master had to put in significant effort to keep straight, he said, adding: “It became increasingly pronounced with more speed.” | Thomas told jurors that tests showed there was a “pronounced pull to starboard”. The master had to put in significant effort to keep straight, he said, adding: “It became increasingly pronounced with more speed.” |
| He added: “We effectively ended up doing doughnuts – going around in tight circles.” | He added: “We effectively ended up doing doughnuts – going around in tight circles.” |
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