Pub landlord admits manslaughter after seven-year-old boy was electrocuted while playing in beer garden
- Harvey Tyrell suffered fatal electric shock at King Harold pub in Romford, Essex
- Was taken to hospital but died an hour later on September 11, 2018
- David Bearman, 72, admitted gross negligence manslaughter after failing to fit the pub with safe lighting
- He admitted to a further charge of stealing electricity worth £22,995.23
- Another pensioner, Colin Naylor, 73, denies gross negligence manslaughter and is set to stand trial on 27 April
David Bearman, 72, admitted gross negligence manslaughter after failing to fit the KIng Harold pub in Romford, Essex, with safe lighting
A pensioner has admitted to killing a seven-year-old boy who was electrocuted while playing in a pub garden.
Harvey Tyrell fell to the ground after suffering a fatal electric shock at the King Harold in Romford, Essex, on September 11, 2018.
He was taken to hospital and died an hour later.
David Bearman, 72, admitted gross negligence manslaughter after failing to fit the pub with safe lighting and a further charge of stealing electricity worth £22,995.23.
Bearded and grey-haired Bearman appeared at the Old Bailey via Skype during the brief hearing.
A second pensioner, Colin Naylor, 73, of Rayleigh, Essex, denies gross negligence manslaughter and is set to stand trial on 27 April.
Judge Anthony Leonard QC bailed Bearman ahead of sentencing on a date to be fixed and said: ‘The pleas you’ve entered today will be taken into account by the judge in sentence and in your favour.
‘It will be a matter for that judge as to what discount you will get.
‘Your sentence cannot be dealt with at present because of the position of your co-defendant but you will be sentenced as soon as it is proper.’
Harvey was described as a ‘wonderful little boy’ and the ‘most-sweetest, kindest little boy’
The charge reads: ‘David Bearman and Colin Naylor on 11 September 2018, unlawfully killed Harvey Tyrell by gross negligence.’
Charlotte Newell, prosecuting, earlier claimed the pair failed to ‘prevent the danger of serious injury or death from electrocution.’
She said they had a duty ‘to limit the risk of danger of serious injury or death from electrocution, including electrical lighting was provided, installed and maintained without electrical defects and to protect persons from the danger of serious injury or death from electrocution.’
The King Harold in Harold Wood, east London, where Harvey fell off a wall
Harvey Tyrrell (pictured) died in hospital after the accident which occurred in Romford earlier this week
‘That breach of duty amounted to gross negligence and that negligence was a substantial cause of the death of Harvey Tyrell.’
Bearman, of Ardleigh Green Road, Hornchurch admitted gross negligence manslaughter and abstracting electricity to the value of £22,995.23.
He will return for sentence on a date yet to be fixed.