Today, 4th February 2025, following a trial at Minshull Street Crown Court before Mr. Justice Bourne, Alex Leach KC and Mark Friend, instructed by Karen Hall of Joe Egan Solicitors, secured the acquittal of a farmer charged with the gross negligence manslaughter of his own 3 year old son.
The prosecution alleged that, on 16th July 2022, Neil Speakman had been operating a highly defective telehandler vehicle at his family farm in Bury when he reversed over and killed his 3 year old son, Albie. It was alleged that Mr. Speakman had little regard for safe procedures and the various risks present at his farm. In evidence Mr. Speakman accepted that his actions were negligent. He further accepted that he had never read any Health and Safety guidance, whether relating to general farming activities or to farm machinery/vehicles. He also accepted that Albie had been unsupervised at time he reversed the telehandler and collided with him. He however disputed that his actions were grossly negligent.
During the trial the prosecution relied upon a letter that had been sent to Mr. Speakman by the Health & Safety Executive in 2020 following a complaint about his conduct – the letter contained warnings about the dangers present on farms and the risks posed to others, particularly children. During the trial prosecution expert evidence was challenged including accident reconstruction evidence in addition to vehicle examination evidence, particularly in respect of whether there had ever been a vehicle reversing alarm fitted to the telehandler.
The case received widespread media attention – https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cwywx42q39po / https://www.itv.com/news/granada/2025-02-04/dad-cleared-of-manslaughter-after-hitting-3-year-old-son-with-farm-vehicle / https://news.sky.com/story/albie-speakman-father-says-death-of-boy-3-in-farm-vehicle-incident-has-ruined-my-life-13298965 / https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/greater-manchester-news/dad-not-guilty-gross-negligence-30931945.
The jury deliberated over the course of 3rd and 4th February 2025 before acquitting Mr. Speakman of gross negligence manslaughter this afternoon. Alex Leach K.C. and Mark Friend were instructed by Karen Hall of Joe Egan Solicitors, Bolton.