A 31-year-old man has entered not guilty pleas to both murder and manslaughter after his father was found dead at the family farm in Scarisbrick, Lancashire.
Court appearance at Preston
At Preston Crown Court on Wednesday 29 July, the defendant, Adam Olverson, formally denied the fresh allegation of murder and repeated his earlier denial of manslaughter. He also pleaded not guilty to a firearms offence, accused of possessing a double-barrelled, side-by-side 12-bore hammer shotgun without a certificate.
The case was heard by the Recorder of Preston, Judge Robert Altham, who granted conditional bail ahead of a pre-trial review scheduled for 22 February 2027. A trial has been listed to begin on 19 April 2027 with an estimated duration of up to three weeks.
Bail conditions and location
Among the bail conditions imposed by the court, Olverson must:
- reside at his home address of Marsh Hey Farm, Pinfold Lane;
- observe a night-time curfew; and
- surrender his passport.
The charges relate to the death of Thomas Olverson, 75, who was pronounced dead at the farm after emergency services responded to a report of a discharge of gunfire in a field off Pinfold Lane in the late afternoon on 25 July 2024.
Next steps in the legal process
The pre-trial review in February will determine how the case moves forward to the listed trial in April. The defence has entered not guilty pleas to all counts, meaning the prosecution must present its case at trial if the matter proceeds as currently scheduled.
| Key dates | Event |
|---|---|
| 25 July 2024 | Death of Thomas Olverson reported at Marsh Hey Farm, Pinfold Lane |
| 29 July 2024 | Defendant appears at Preston Crown Court and enters pleas |
| 22 February 2027 | Pre-trial review listed |
| 19 April 2027 | Trial listed (estimated up to three weeks) |
The case has drawn attention locally because it involves a fatality at a family farm and the imposition of an order allowing the defendant to remain at the property on strict conditions. The court’s decision to grant bail, rather than remand the defendant in custody, will be of interest to neighbours and local residents concerned about safety and the progress of the criminal justice process in serious cases.
Further hearings will clarify the evidence to be relied upon by the prosecution and any legal arguments the defence intends to advance. The pre-trial review in February will be the next public hearing at which those procedural matters will be addressed.
