The father of a woman killed in a speedboat crash on the Thames has hit out at her killer for launching an appeal while on the run from police.
Jack Shepherd has been in hiding since he was found guilty of the manslaughter by gross negligence of 24-year-old Charlotte Brown who was killed after he took her on a date on his speedboat.
Shepherd, 30, who is being hunted by police, skipped his July trial at the Old Bailey and was sentenced to six years in prison in his absence.
Ms Brown's father blasted his daughter's killer following the news on Thursday that Shepherd's lawyers had lodged an appeal against his conviction while he is still on the run.
Graham Brown, 52, said Shepherd's move "mocked" justice but he was "confident" that he would face it soon.
Mr Graham, of Sidcup, Kent, told the Sun newspaper: "He's mocking justice and clearly thinks he has nothing to lose. People will rightly ask why a convicted criminal's rights should outweigh Charlotte's.
"Shepherd hasn't done a day of his sentence, but he's apparently been able to put together an appeal while on the run. It's a great unfairness but I'm confident he'll face justice soon."
At his sentencing, Shepherd’s lawyer, Stephen Vullo QC said that his client could not "face the Brown family" and his decision not to appear was made out of “cowardice”, the Guardian reported.
Shepherd, a wed designer from Paddington in London, reportedly married a childhood friend shortly after the crash but the relationship has since broken down.
A police manhunt continues for the convicted killer while the Sun is offering its own £10,000 reward to help catch him. It is not known where he has fled the country.
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