A man admitted the manslaughter of his 12-year-old son who was struck by a car while crossing the carriageway of the M62.

Callum Rycroft was on the motorway because his father, Matthew Rycroft, crashed close to Hartshead Services last month.

According to the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS), Rycroft, from Leeds, was drinking throughout the day on a trip to see his parents in Huddersfield.

His parents asked him not to drive but he refused. 

Soon Rycroft, 36, was spotted driving dangerously in the town and driving dangerously on the M62. 

Eventually he crashed close to Hartshead Services.

The CPS said: "Callum and Rycroft began to walk towards the 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 then for an unknown reason tried to run back."

Callum was struck by a car while crossing the carriageway. Rycroft was arrested and this week, via a video link to Leeds Crown Court, he admitted manslaughter as well as dangerous driving.

A Bolton man was arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving but he remains on bail.

Tom Neofytou, from the CPS, said: “This is an tragic incident involving the death of a 12-year-old boy.

"His father's insistence on driving while under the influence of alcohol is beyond comprehension.

"Rycroft continued to drive despite his parents' best efforts to stop him. His decision to leave the scene of the crash and to attempt to cross the motorway while responsible for a boy was folly.

"Callum paid the price for his father's careless and criminal actions and the rest of his family are left to mourn his loss. Our deepest sympathies remain with them."

Judge Rodney Jameson remanded Rycroft in custody to be sentenced in no less than two weeks.

He said: "I can’t tell you the date the court will pass sentence because a decision will be made as to whether it needs to be dealt with by a High Court judge."

This article was written by Jack Tooth. To contact him, email jack.tooth@newsquest.co.uk or follow @JTRTooth on Twitter.