Speedboat killer Jack Shepherd is unlikely to fight extradition and could return to the UK as early as this week, according to his lawyer.

The UK has submitted a formal request asking Georgia to extradite the 31-year-old web designer, who is in prison in Tbilisi after handing himself in to authorities in January.

Shepherd went on the run as he faced trial over the death of Charlotte Brown, 24, on a champagne-fuelled first date when his speedboat overturned in the River Thames.

He was convicted of her manslaughter in his absence at the Old Bailey and sentenced to six years in jail.

His lawyer Tariel Kakabadze said there is now a “very big chance” Shepherd will not fight extradition to the UK, and that he wants to take part in a challenge against his conviction in the Court of Appeal.

The next hearing in Georgia could be set by the judge on Monday, with Mr Kakabadze adding: “If he agrees with the extradition request, he might return to the UK this week.”

The lawyer added that Shepherd, who is originally from Exeter, may seek certain “reassurances” before agreeing to the request, which was sent to the Georgian authorities by the Home Office.

Ms Brown, from Clacton-on-Sea, Essex, died after plunging into the icy waters of the Thames in December 2015.

In January, Jack Shepherd’s lawyer told a court in Tbilisi he had been warned his life would be in danger in a UK jail and he gave the judge a false address as he battled to avoid extradition.

At the time, his lawyers argued that he should be allowed to remain in Georgia to conduct his appeal against his conviction, potentially via Skype.

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