A web designer accused of killing his date in a speedboat crash on the Thames told police he suffered "nightmares and flashbacks", a court has heard.

Jack Shepherd, 30, said he was left feeling "distraught" after the death of Charlotte Brown, 23, from Welling, who he had been trying to impress with a trip past the Houses of Parliament after a meal at The Shard.

The Old Bailey has heard he was tearful when he was initially interviewed as a witness within hours of being plucked from the river by rescuers.

He later gave a prepared statement to police, in which he said he had "no recollection" of how the boat came to capsize in the River Thames near Wandsworth Bridge of December 8, 2015.

"To the best of my recollection, immediately before and at the time of the incident, Charlotte was driving the boat," he said in the statement, dated February 4, 2016.

"I recall attempting to dive under the overturned boat to look for Charlotte and then asking for help.

"At the time I was rescued, and at hospital and the following day, I was very shocked, confused and disoriented.

"I suffered hypothermia as a result of the time I was in the water.

"Since the incident, I have struggled, emotionally and psychologically, to come to terms with what has happened.

"I have been having nightmares and flashbacks. I feel distraught that Charlotte has lost her life in the accident.

"I offer my heartfelt and sincere condolences to Charlotte's family and friends on her tragic loss."

Shepherd, who is originally from Exeter, is on trial in his absence at the Old Bailey charged with manslaughter by gross negligence, which he denies.

The court has heard he bought the red 14ft Fletcher Arrowflyte GTO from Gumtree to "pull women".

Prosecutors allege the 75-horsepower vessel, which had been moored beside Shepherd's houseboat in Hammersmith, had a number of defects and was speeding before the crash.