Dad Found Not Guilty of Manslaughter After Accidentally Hitting Son
A father was acquitted of gross negligence manslaughter after a tragic accident involving his son. The court found no criminal negligence in the incident with a defective farm vehicle.
Bury, Greater Manchester, Albie Speakman, Neil Speakman, Farm Accident
The incident happened on July 16, 2022, while Albie was playing outside. Neil had left him with their dogs for a moment. Unfortunately, he reversed a telehandler and didn’t see Albie.
The court heard that the telehandler had some defects, like a missing wing mirror. Health and safety officials later confirmed that these issues could lead to accidents. They noted that it was easy to miss someone small near the back of the vehicle.
Despite the tragedy, the jury found Neil not guilty of gross negligence manslaughter. He had already admitted to a lesser charge related to health and safety laws.
During the trial, Neil expressed his deep sorrow. He said it was a tragic accident and that he never meant for it to happen. He believed Albie understood the dangers of being around farm equipment.
After the accident, Neil rushed to get help, but sadly, Albie didn’t survive. The little boy suffered severe injuries and was pronounced dead at the hospital.
Neil described the moment he realized what had happened. He felt a bump and immediately jumped off the vehicle. He was devastated and said he made a mistake.
The court also heard about a previous warning Neil received from health officials about using another piece of machinery. He claimed he never saw the warning letter.
Neil Speakman will face sentencing later, but the loss of his son will weigh heavily on him forever.