Application for a public hearing in the case of Jack Shepherd

Parole Board Chair – Alexandra Marks

It is the Board Chair’s preliminary view that it is in the interests of justice for the case to possibly be heard in public. The reasons are:

1. The serious and unusual nature of the offence and of the case as a whole. Mr Shepherd was convicted of manslaughter following the death of a female in a speed boat incident.
2. Whilst on police bail Mr Shepherd committed an offence contrary to s18, wounding with intent to cause serious bodily harm.
3. Mr Shepherd then absconded and was only returned to the UK after extradition proceedings.
4. Mr Shepherd was automatically released in January 2024 but was recalled to custody in September 2025 following allegations of behaviour which breached licence conditions and indicated increased risk.
5. There is public interest in this case, not simply the facts of the index offence but Mr Shepherd’s subsequent failure to observe police bail or licence conditions.
6. The risk management plan is complex, having regard to the circumstances of the case.
7. The interests of justice mean that there should be need for public scrutiny of the Parole Board’s decision and consideration of risk to public safety.

If anyone wishes to make representations regarding this application the Parole Board Rules now allow for submissions from the press and public. There are five working days from publication in which to do this. You can make these representations via the proforma attached on this page. Proforma for representations - GOV.UK]

The deadline for representations is midday on Friday 17 April 2026