Pair in court over labourer death

A father and son have appeared in court charged with the manslaughter of a teenage farm labourer who was crushed in a soil recycler.

Roy Hill, 63, and Michael, 31, who run RE Hill and Son are accused of failing to place a protective guard on the machine in which Lee Mason, 17, died.

The accident happened on 4 April 2007 at Ridings Farm in Dundry, near Bristol which is owned by the Hill family.

A provisional trial date of 12 January 2009 was set at Bristol Crown Court.

The men also face charges of failing to discharge a duty and contravening the Health and Safety Act.

Avon Coroner's Court previously confirmed that the teenager died when his neck was broken by the machine.

No pleas were entered and the pair were remanded on unconditional bail.