A dad accused of killing his three-year-old son by running him over with a defective farm vehicle said “I shouldn’t have to do this…it’s not f***ing fair” while giving evidence in court.
Neil Speakman told his trial it was a “tragic accident”, adding: “One bit of human error… has ruined my life.”
His toddler, Albie Speakman, suffered catastrophic head injuries after a telehandler was reversed into him as he had been left to play with the family’s two dogs in a yard at the front of a farmhouse in Bury, Greater Manchester on July 16 2022.
The prosecution alleges the telehandler, used to pick up wood chippings, was “defective” and that Albie died “as a result of his father’s negligence which created a serious and obvious risk of death”. Mr Speakman denies gross negligence manslaughter, reports the Mirror.
The dad sobbed as he gave evidence at Minshull Street Crown Court on Wednesday, January 29, telling jurors: “I shouldn’t have to do this, it’s f*****g not fair. I shouldn’t have left him in the garden, we all know that. I have not met the standard of care. Is it truly exceptionally bad, neglectful behaviour? No. I messed up, I made a mistake.”
The dad insisted he would “check profusely” for blind spots whilst using the telehandler because he knew it was missing a wing mirror, but claims he did not see his son. He said: “I am always careful in what I do. He was my little boy.”
Asked to describe what happened next, he said: 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.”
In cross examination by prosecutor John Elvidge KC, Mr Speakman said: “It was a tragic accident. I made a mistake.” Mr Elvidge asked him: “Do you agree that you had an obligation to ensure that Albie was kept apart from any moving vehicles?”
“Yes,” said Mr Speakman. Mr Elvidge asked: “Tell us what you did to stop Albie coming close to a moving vehicle before he was struck by the telehandler.” Mr Speakman replied: “I checked every possible blind spot. I checked he was not there. I couldn’t have checked more. I profusely checked. It was not humanly possible to check even more, Why would I risk my boy’s f****** safety?”
Asked why he had not put Albie inside the farmhouse, he said: “It was 32 degrees. He wanted to play outside with his dogs.” Mr Elvidge said: “Is it your position that Albie, aged three, knew to manage his own safety on the farm?”
Mr Speakman said: “He knew dangers. I shouldn’t have left him in the garden. We all know that. I have not met the standard of care. Is it truly exceptional bad behaviour, neglectful behaviour? No. I messed up, I made a mistake.”
He added: “It’s one bit of human error for a split second which has ruined my life.” Mr Speakman said that ‘seconds before’ the collision he had seen his son sitting in the garden playing with the family dogs. I have looked behind to the best of my ability. Not for a second would I risk his life. He is the best thing that’s ever happened.”
The prosecution alleges Mr 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.
A letter was reportedly sent by the HSE, warning him of potentially fatal consequences after a video was posted on social media, which showed a teenager inside the bucket of the machine, which was in the air as the defendant moves the vehicle and is heard to say: “I’m going to drop you”.
In evidence, Mr Speakman denied he had received any such letter and told the court the family had problems with missing post, and that his father occasionally burnt what he perceived to be junk mail.
Mr Speakman, of Bentley Hall Road, Tottington, Bury, denies gross negligence manslaughter but had pleaded guilty to a lesser charge of breaching a section under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974. The trial continues.
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