A man convicted of killing his date in a speedboat crash on the River Thames has appealed his sentence - while on the run.

Jack Shepherd, 30, was found guilty of manslaughter by gross negligence after 24-year-old Charlotte Brown from Welling died in 2015.

Now it has emerged that Shepherd, who did not appear at his trial, has lodged an appeal against his conviction and six-year jail sentence.

The Old Bailey confirmed to News Shopper the appeal was sent to the Court of Appeal on August 20.

During his trial, the court heard web designer Shepherd had been trying to impress Miss Brown on their first date after meeting her on dating website OkCupid.

But their champagne-fuelled first date ended in tragedy when his boat capsized near Wandsworth Bridge after Shepherd had encouraged Charlotte to take the wheel.

They were both thrown into the water and Miss Brown died after she was pulled unconscious from the water. She was in cardiac arrest and suffering from hypothermia.

After Shepherd was convicted at The Old Bailey, a warrant was issued for his arrest. He is reported to have remained in contact with his legal team during the trial, but did not reveal his location.

During the trial, Shepherd's barrister Stephen Vullo QC said: “He could not have faced the Brown family from the dock and it’s cowardice he could not do so.”

Miss Brown's mother, Roz Wickens, read an emotional victim impact statement in court, saying: “The fact is, if Charlotte had not met him she would still be alive today. The empty hole that has been left in my heart is huge and is agony.

“I will continue to feel pain, distress, emotion and anguish until I take my final breath.”

Police are said to be hunting Shepherd and are following leads to establish his whereabouts.