In July 2022, tragedy struck when three-year-old Albie Speakman was killed in an accident involving a defective farm machine in Bury. His father, Neil Speakman, was operating the machine and was recently acquitted of gross negligence manslaughter by a jury.

Leah Bridge, Albie's mother, described the heartbreaking moment she received the news. "It just feels like it happened yesterday," the 31-year-old recalled. "I feel like I've stood still in time. I haven't moved on anywhere from it."

The incident occurred at a farmhouse on Bentley Hall Road, Walshaw, where Mr. Speakman had left Albie playing with their two pet dogs moments before the accident. The trial revealed that Mr. Speakman had previously used the Kramer telehandler but lacked formal training, and the machine had various defects, including a missing wing mirror.

After reversing into Albie, Mr. Speakman frantically sought help, running into the house and asking his partner to call an ambulance. On their way to the hospital, they flagged down a passing ambulance, but paramedics were unable to resuscitate Albie, who was pronounced dead that afternoon at the Royal Manchester Children's Hospital.

Leah explained that she had met Speakman at the farm entrance around 9 AM, and he had taken Albie to run errands before returning at 11:45 AM to do chores. She often recalls the moments they would spend in the car, chatting before saying goodbye when Speakman would pick Albie up.

Leah vividly remembers the call she received from Speakman, who was crying. "It's Albie, it's Albie," he told her, and Leah knew something was gravely wrong. "The first thing I said was 'is he alive?'. He said 'no, he's dead... he's dead'. I thought it was a joke. I was driving to the hospital saying, 'he's joking, it's a sick joke'. But when I arrived and saw the road taped off, I realized it wasn't a joke."

Neil Speakman, residing on Bentley Hall Road, Tottington, has pleaded guilty to breaching the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 and awaits sentencing for his actions.