Neil Speakman, 39, received 12 months for health and safety breach after his son Albie, 3, died in a farm accident.
Neil Speakman, 39, received 12 months for health and safety breach after his son Albie, 3, died in a farm accident.
Father Jailed After Telehandler Accident Kills 3 Year Old Son
Neil Speakman, 39, got a 12-month jail sentence after admitting to a health and safety breach. He failed to keep Albie safe when Albie wandered into the farmyard. His dad used a telehandler there.
The incident occurred in July 2022. A court cleared Speakman of manslaughter earlier. Albie was playing in an unsecured garden near the farmhouse on a warm day. The father called it a “tragic accident.”
Leah Bridge, Albie’s mom, dropped him off for a regular weekend visit with Speakman. She had separated from him after Albie’s birth. The judge said caring for Albie mattered most.
The judge stated Speakman should not have been working and called it a terrible tragedy. He also acknowledged its impact on the family. He added that Speakman must take responsibility. It wasn’t bad luck; it was a total failure. Three adults were at the farm that day, and keeping Albie safe was not difficult, the judge said.
Speakman testified he saw Albie playing, sitting with dogs in the garden just seconds before the accident. Speakman claimed he checked all blind spots carefully but did not see his son at all.
He stated he checked thoroughly and even turned his head fully around. Speakman said he wouldn’t have moved the vehicle if he thought Albie was nearby. He tearfully said it ruined his life.
He admitted to messing up and said he shouldn’t have left Albie there, calling it a split-second human error. Leah described Albie as loving and affectionate. She said she would miss everything about him, including his voice and his smile.
Neil Speakman, 39, got a 12-month jail sentence after admitting to a health and safety breach. He failed to keep Albie safe when Albie wandered into the farmyard. His dad used a telehandler there.
The incident occurred in July 2022. A court cleared Speakman of manslaughter earlier. Albie was playing in an unsecured garden near the farmhouse on a warm day. The father called it a “tragic accident.”
Leah Bridge, Albie’s mom, dropped him off for a regular weekend visit with Speakman. She had separated from him after Albie’s birth. The judge said caring for Albie mattered most.
The judge stated Speakman should not have been working and called it a terrible tragedy. He also acknowledged its impact on the family. He added that Speakman must take responsibility. It wasn’t bad luck; it was a total failure. Three adults were at the farm that day, and keeping Albie safe was not difficult, the judge said.
Speakman testified he saw Albie playing, sitting with dogs in the garden just seconds before the accident. Speakman claimed he checked all blind spots carefully but did not see his son at all.
He stated he checked thoroughly and even turned his head fully around. Speakman said he wouldn’t have moved the vehicle if he thought Albie was nearby. He tearfully said it ruined his life.
He admitted to messing up and said he shouldn’t have left Albie there, calling it a split-second human error. Leah described Albie as loving and affectionate. She said she would miss everything about him, including his voice and his smile.