A father whose disabled son was killed as he tried to cross the M62 motorway in the aftermath of a crash has admitted to manslaughter.
Callum Rycroft, from Leeds, was described by his family in a devastating tribute paid earlier last month as a being a “beautiful happy soul” who was known for bringing “light, laughter, and noise into any room”.
But the 12-year-old tragically lost his life in a hit-and-run incident on the M62.
Callum was a passenger in his father, Matthew Rycroft’s, Audi Q5 on the day he died on 5 August 2023, with the 36-year-old having been drinking with family throughout the day, according to the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS), before driving off and subsequently crashing the vehicle off an M62 slip exit road for the Hartshead Moor Services in West Yorkshire.
Father admits manslaughter of disabled 12-year-old son who died trying to cross M62 / Credit: Wikimedia Commons
Rycroft managed to exit the motorway, but failed to negotiate a sharp bend on the slip road before hitting the kerb and overturning the vehicle, the CPS said.
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Courts heard this week that, Matthew and Callum – who was said to have had no speed awareness due to his disability – then attempted to cross the motorway carriageway moments later, in what prosecutors described as “reckless folly”.
Callum was then struck by an oncoming vehicle, and was confirmed to have died instantly at the scene.
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Yesterday, Matthew Rycroft pleaded guilty to manslaughter of his son, as well as dangerous driving, and for failing to provide a specimen.
⚖️ A dad has pleaded guilty to the manslaughter of his 12-year-old son Callum Rycroft after crashing his car on the motorway.
Our thoughts remain with the family and friends of Callum.
According to the CPS, Rycroft’s parents had urged him not to drive home from their residence in Huddersfield, where he and Callum had been visiting, and had offered the pair a place to stay overnight, but the father “paid no heed”, before refusing and driving away.
“Callum was heard in the background saying ‘Dad… won’t stop’,” the CPS said.
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“[Rycroft’s] parents 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.”
As Rycroft appeared via a video link from prison to Leeds Crown Court yesterday – where he entered his guilty pleas – the CPS continued in its account: “Rycroft and Callum then began to walk toward the main carriageway. Callum called his mother, and dialled 999, but Rycroft told him to end the call. They were seen to cross the motorway to the central reservation, and then for an unknown reason tried to run back.”
Ultimately, Tom Neofytou from the CPS said Callum “should have been under the protection of his father”, and described it as an “absolutely tragic incident”.
Matthew Rycroft is to be sentenced no earlier than 19 September.
Featured Image – West Yorkshire Police
News
Police appeal for information after pedestrian killed on Mancunian Way followed earlier welfare concern reports
Emily Sergeant
Police are continuing to appeal for information after a pedestrian was killed on Mancunian Way during the early hours.
Greater Manchester Police (GMP) explained that the shocking incident occurred at approximately 12:50am on Friday 31 October when it was reported that a Volkswagen Passat had collided with a man in his 20s.
Sadly, the collision was fatal and the pedestrian died at the scene.
The driver of the Volkswagen, a man in his 40s, was subsequently arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving.
Following the incident, subsequent police enquiries have established that a call was made to the force shortly after midnight which reported concern for a man walking on the carriageway, and GMP says it believes the man in that report was the man who was involved in the fatal collision.
Officers were sent out as ‘high priority’ to carry out an extensive search of the surrounding area after the report was made, but it was said that they couldn’t locate him.
#UPDATE | Officers are continuing to appeal for information following the fatal collision on Mancunian Way this morning.
We have referred ourselves to the IPOC after reports that the victim was possibly spotted on the carriageway earlier that morning.
— Manchester City Centre Police (GMP) (@GMPCityCentre) October 31, 2025
Due to this earlier report, GMP has confirmed that it has referred itself to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) to look into its response to the search.
The victim’s family is aware, have been updated, and they are being supported by specialist officers at this time.
GMP’s Serious Collision Investigation Unit is still appealing for anyone who may have witnessed the incident to come forward, and are particularly keen to speak to anyone who may have CCTV footage, dashcam, or mobile phone footage from the area in the moments leading up to the incident.
“This is a tragic incident for all involved and we express our deepest condolences to the family of the man who has lost his life, and whom we are doing our utmost to support at this time,” commented Sergeant Andrew Page.
Anyone with any information is asked to contact police on 0161 856 4741, quoting log number 111 of the 31/10/25, or by using the ‘report tool’ or LiveChat function on the GMP website – www.gmp.police.uk
Alternatively, you can contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
Featured Image – Geograph
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Stockport paedophile who abused teen girls in early 2000s handed five extra years in prison
Emily Sergeant
A prolific paedophile who ‘groomed, exploited, and coerced’ teenage girls in the early 2000s has had his sentenced extended.
It was reported on back in June that Christopher Oates, from Stockport, was brought to justice after he subjected vulnerable girls to what Greater Manchester Police (GMP) referred to as a ‘campaign’ of violence and sexual abuse 20 years ago.
Oates was charged with possession of a firearm with intent to cause fear of violence, three counts of engaging in penetrative sexual activity with a girl aged 13-15 years old, and two counts causing / inciting a child aged 13-17 years to prostitution.
He was originally sentenced to 13 years in prison for all his crimes.
But now, following a successful appeal by GMP, working with the survivors and the Crown Prosecution Service, to take the ‘unduly lenient’ sentence to the Court of Appeal, Oates has now been handed an extra five years in prison.
Paedophile who abused teenage girls twenty years ago has sentenced extended by five years after successful appeal
We’ve worked with the survivors and the CPS to take Christopher Oates’ unduly lenient sentence to the Court of Appeal. pic.twitter.com/4yfgjpWxCN
His sentencing increase comes after the 45-year-old groomed one of the survivors from when she was just 14 years old, by providing her with a false sense of security, paying her compliments, and pretending to be her boyfriend, all before he proceeded to ply her with drugs, gifts, and affection, and using the trust and control he gained to persuade her to start sex work on the streets of Manchester.
When the teenage victim began to doubt his intentions and asked to go home, Oates dragged her down an alleyway, violently attacked her, and threatened her with a gun, stating: ‘You do as I say, you’re mine now,’ commanding her to go to her ‘spot’.
It was this incident that prompted the teenager to confide in her mother and support services, and from here, found the strength to move forward with her life, while still courageously supporting the police investigation.
From this investigation, detectives were then able to identify a second teenage victim, a 17-year-old, who Oates also coerced into sex work.
Speaking on Oates’ sentencing increase, DI Eleanor Humphreys, who was a senior investigating officer for this case, said: “We join both victims in expressing our relief and delight that the Court of Appeal has reviewed Oates’ lenient sentence and increased it by five years.
“Oates will now rightly serve consecutive sentences for both victims, meaning that his time behind bars reflects the totality of his offending against both women – whose lives he has so badly impacted.
“We will not relent in ensuring child sex offenders are brought to justice and face the full consequences for their horrific crimes.”
Emily Sergeant -
6th September 2023 
