Albie Speakman: Father says death of boy, 3, in farm vehicle incident has 'ruined my life'
Neil Speakman, 39, is accused of gross negligence manslaughter over the death of his three-year-old son Albie. He denies the charge but has pleaded guilty to a breach of the Health and Safety at Work Act.
Wednesday 29 January 2025 20:46, UK
A man whose three-year-old boy died in a "tragic accident" at a family farm said the incident "has ruined my life".
Neil Speakman, 39, was reversing a Kramer telehandler vehicle when he struck Albie Speakman who suffered catastrophic injuries in the incident, in the Tottington area of Bury, Greater Manchester, in July 2022.
Speakman is accused of gross negligence manslaughter, which he denies.
Giving evidence at Manchester Minshull Street Crown Court on Wednesday, Speakman said he would "check profusely" for blind spots while driving the vehicle as it had a missing wing mirror.
He said he did not see his son at the time of the incident, and added: "I am always careful in what I do. He was my little boy."
When asked to describe what happened, Speakman told the court: "You felt a bump instantly. I had travelled 10cm, 20cm...
"I stopped instantly. It was a split second. I looked right and saw his legs, and jumped off."
Be the first to get Breaking News
Install the Sky News app for free
Wiping away tears in court, Speakman added: "I shouldn't have to do this. It's fg not fair."
The incident took place in a yard next to a small garden area at the front of the farmhouse in Bentley Hall Road, Walshaw - where Speakman left Albie to play a few minutes earlier.
Prosecutors say the area was insecure, meaning Albie was free to wander into the yard where his father was working, and that the telehandler had various defects.
Speakman said: "If I thought Albie was even an inch into that yard I would never have moved that vehicle. It was a tragic accident. I made a mistake."
He then told the court: "[Albie] knew dangers. I shouldn't have left him in the garden. We all know that. Is it truly exceptional bad behaviour, neglectful behaviour? No.
"I messed up, I shouldn't have left him there. It's one bit of human error for a split second which has ruined my life."
Read more from Sky News:
Love Island star released on bail hours after being jailed
Lidl gets green light to open first ever in-store pub
Follow our channel and never miss an update.
The prosecution also alleges Speakman disregarded a warning in 2020 from the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) about the use of another piece of farm machinery with a lifting bucket attached.
It was alleged he received a letter warning him after a video emerged showing a teenager inside the bucket in the air.
The video showed the defendant moving the vehicle, who was heard to say: "I'm going to drop you".
Speakman denies receiving any such letter and told the court he had issues with missing post.
He also pleaded guilty to a breach of the Health and Safety at Work Act over failing to ensure the health and safety of Albie, so far as is reasonably practical.
The trial continues.