Dad denies manslaughter after son's tractor death
A man has denied unlawfully killing his three-year-old son after he died in a tractor crash.
Albie Speakman suffered fatal injuries after he was run over by a small tractor on a farm off Bentley Hall Road in the Tottington area of Bury on 16 July 2022, a court heard.
Neil Speakman, of Bentley Hall Road, Bury, pleaded not guilty to gross negligence manslaughter of his son at Manchester Minshull Street Crown Court on Tuesday.
The 38-year-old also denied that as a self-employed person he failed to ensure, so far as was reasonably practicable, the health and safety of Albie.
Mr Speakman was bailed to attend a further case management hearing on 2 December and is is due to face trial on 14 January 2025.
In a statement issued at the time of his death, Albie’s mother, Leah, said: “Albie was an incredibly loving, affectionate and caring boy who just wanted everyone to be happy.
She said Albie was her "little sunshine boy".
"I will miss absolutely everything about Albie," she said.
"His voice, his smile, the smell of his skin and the feel of his little hands on my face when he would say 'I love you mummy girl'.
"I'll especially miss going on adventures with Albie, anywhere and everywhere we could have fun."
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