Leeds tractor driver Gary Green ran over and killed 11-year-old boy the morning after he drank 13 pints of beer
Green was more than two times the legal driving limit
A TRACTOR driver who drank the equivalent of 13 pints of beer the night before he ran over and killed an 11-year-old boy on a farm has been jailed for more than a year.
Gary Green, 51, was sentenced to 16 months and two weeks in prison at Leeds Crown Court today.
He had been convicted of health and safety violations which contributed to the death of youngster Harry Whitlam at a farm near the city.
Green, a self employed farm worker, was more than two times the legal driving limit when the Harry was killed in August 2013.
He claimed he had drunk four pints in the pub the night before, followed by two cans at home.
related stories
But Judge Guy Kearl QC heard that an expert had concluded he must have consumed the equivalent of 13 pints of beer before going to bed at 2am.
Harry's mum worked at the farm and the court heard it was normal for him to be in the working area, accompanied by employees.
At 9:15am on the day of his death Harry was walking towards a member of staff when he was fatally struck by the tractor.
Pam Whitlam, Harry’s mum said: “The day we lost Harry our close knit family was changed forever.
"We all miss him dearly and it has not got easier with time but harder.
"Harry was my youngest son a much loved brother, grandson, nephew and cousin.
"The only memories I currently have of Harry are from the day of the accident but his life was so much more.
“It is not okay for anyone whether on a public road or private land to be drunk and get behind the wheel of a vehicle.
"My hope today, now the court process is complete, is that Harry’s life becomes more than one day and as a family we can again remember the good times we shared.”
Green was prosecuted under health and safety rather than road traffic law as he was on private land at the time of Harry's death.
Health and Safety Executive Inspector Julian Franklin, said “This is an extremely tragic case.
"Harry was a young boy whose life was cut short by the reckless behaviour of Gary Green.
"Drink driving legislation does not apply on private land but it does not mean you can blatantly disregard the health and safety of those around you when driving heavy and dangerous machinery.”