The family of Charlotte Brown has urged the government to block the early release of Jack Shepherd, the man convicted of killing her during a high-speed boat trip on the Thames in 2015. Shepherd, 38, has recently admitted to assaulting a former partner while on licence from prison, raising renewed concerns about his risk to women.

Charlotte Brown, 24, died in the 2015 incident when Shepherd was intoxicated and operating the speedboat. Shepherd was convicted for her death and sentenced to prison, but the government had proposed reforms that would allow some offenders to be released after serving as little as 33 percent of their sentences. This plan sparked controversy and was temporarily paused by Andy Burnham, citing public safety considerations.

Graham Brown, Charlotte’s father, described Shepherd as a continued threat to women, emphasizing that the recent assault conviction confirmed his disregard for women. “Shepherd remains a risk to women. This proves it beyond doubt. He has no respect for women at all,” Graham said in a direct appeal to the Prime Minister. He urged a reconsideration of the early release scheme to prevent the premature release of offenders who may pose a danger to the public.

While the government has paused the reforms, officials indicate that they are expected to proceed after further adjustments are made. The case has drawn attention to the challenges of balancing sentencing reforms with public safety, especially in cases involving violent offenders with a history of abuse. The victim’s family continues to advocate against measures that could enable the early release of individuals like Shepherd, arguing the risk to women remains significant.