Son denies murdering father at family farm

A man has denied the murder of his father in a shooting at their family farm.

Adam Olverson, 31, appeared before magistrates to face a charge of manslaughter on 1 July over the death of Thomas Olverson, 75, in Scarisbrick, Lancashire, on 25 July 2024.

But as he made his first appearance at Preston Crown Court earlier, a fresh charge of murder was put to him.

Olverson entered not guilty pleas to both murder and manslaughter, and also denied possessing a double-barrelled, side-by-side 12-bore hammer shotgun without a certificate.

Thomas Olverson was pronounced dead at the farm following a report of a gunfire discharge in a field off Pinfold Lane.

Judge Altham granted Olverson bail ahead of a pre-trial review on 22 February.

Among his bail conditions are that he must live at his home address, Marsh Hey Farm in Pinfold Lane, abide by a night-time curfew, and surrender his passport.

A trial expected to last up to three weeks has been scheduled to start on 19 April 2027.

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