A disabled father has pleaded guilty to manslaughter following the death of his 12-year-old son after the pair were hit by a car while walking along the M62.
Autistic schoolboy Callum had been walking along the motorway with his father, Matthew Rycroft, 36, before the pair were hit by a Toyato C-HR.
The pair had begun walking after Rycroft crashed his own Audi Q5 on the sliproad to Hartshead Moor Services, near Huddersfield, West Yorkshire, on August 5.
Rycroft, of Nowell View, Leeds, today pleaded guilty to manslaughter, dangerous driving, and failing to provide a specimen at Leeds General Infirmary, during a four minute hearing at Leeds Crown Court.
The 36-year-old had been visiting his parents in Huddersfield and had been drinking earlier in the day, before he decided to drive home in his Audi Q5.
Matthew Rycroft, 36, pleaded guilty to manslaughter, dangerous driving, and failing to provide a specimin
Callum was killed after being hit by a car while walking with his father along the M62
Rycroft’s parents had urged him not to drive and offered him a place to stay overnight, but the 36-year-old refused and instead drove away.
His parents called him and urged him to stop driving, but he paid no heed. Callum was heard in the background saying ‘Dad… won’t stop.’
They also tried to follow him, but Rycroft ignored them, and his Audi was seen driving erratically in Huddersfield, before joining the M62 at junction 25.
Witnesses report seeing Rycroft swerve across lanes on the motorway before colliding with a crash barrier.
Rycroft then managed to exit the motorway at Hartshead services, where he failed to negotiate a sharp bend on the slip road, before hitting the kerb and overturning the car.
The pair then started walking along the M62 before being hit by a Toyota C-HR. Callum was fatally injured and his father was also wounded.
Rycroft appeared via video link from HMP Armley this afternoon for a four minute hearing at Leeds Crown Court.
Dressed in a white sweatshirt and with his thinning grey hair cropped short, he spoke to confirm his full name, Michael Daniel Rycroft, and age and then answered guilty as three charges were put to him.
The dangerous driving is said to have occurred between Paddock Cricket Bowling and Athletic Club and Hartshead Moor Services – a journey of eight miles.
Matthew Harding, representing Rycroft, did not ask for a pre sentence report and conceded ‘a sentence of some length is inevitable’.
Michael Rycroft, 36, started walking with his son down the motorway after crashing his own Audi Q5 near Huddersfield
Judge Rodney Jameson KC adjourned sentencing for a date yet to be fixed, no earlier than 19 September.
The Toyota driver, a 47-year-old man, from Bolton, Greater Manchester, has been arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving. He has been released on bail pending further enquiries.
In a statement, Callum’s mother paid a tribute to her son.
She said: ‘Callum was a beautiful happy soul who was unique, great fun and larger than life. He brought light, laughter and noise into any room.
‘Callum had a massive impact on everyone who met him. The house is so quiet without him here.
‘We are devastated at what has happened and request that people respect our wish for privacy at this difficult time. We are very grateful for the support and kind comments we have received.’