Jack Shepherd will stay in custody in Georgia for three months after telling a court he was “suicidally depressed” following the death of Charlotte Brown.

After months on the run Jack Shepherd appeared in court this morning after being convicted of the manslaughter of 24-year-old Charlotte Brown from Clacton following a champagne-laden date in 2015.

The pair, who connected on a dating site and met in London for the first time, had dinner at The Shard before setting off on a late-night speedboat ride along the River Thames.

After the pair plunged into the icy-cold water, Ms Brown sadly died later in hospital.

Shepherd, originally from Exeter, appeared at Tbilisi City Court after being convicted six months ago of killing the business development consultant.

East Anglian Daily Times: Charlotte Brown, 24, from Clacton, died after a speedboat crash on the River Thames which Jack Shepherd was driving. Picture: METROPOLITAN POLICE/PA WIRECharlotte Brown, 24, from Clacton, died after a speedboat crash on the River Thames which Jack Shepherd was driving. Picture: METROPOLITAN POLICE/PA WIRE

The 31-year-old web-designer told the court this morning that the decision to go on a speedboat date with Ms Brown was his “greatest regret”.

He said: “Not a single day passes when I don’t think about the loss of Charlotte’s life and the effect this has had on her family.

“Some time after the accident I felt suicidally depressed at what had happened. That’s why I’ve been unable to speak about it.”

Shepherd, who had been working in Georgia, surrendered himself at a police station on Wednesday, January 23 following an international manhunt launched by police. He arrived at the Georgian jail wearing a smile and a long beard, proclaiming his innocence.

Assisted by an interpreter in the dock this morning, Shepherd spoke of his regret at missing his trial and the pain caused to Ms Brown’s family.

He told the court: “I’m very sorry and that’s why I handed myself in now just to draw to a close this horrible accident and all the terrible consequences.”

The court also heard that Shepherd has alcohol dependency and wants to conduct the appeal against his conviction from Georgia.

Speaking of the hearing, a spokesman for the Crown Prosecution Service said: “Extradition is a complex process and we are continuing to work with UK colleagues and the authorities in Georgia to progress it as quickly as possible.”

One of Shepherd’s defence lawyers warned that Shepherd should not be extradited because his life may be in danger if he is sent to a jail in the UK.