A MAN charged with manslaughter has been appeared in court in connection with a death on the railway tracks in Prestatyn 18 months ago.

Patrick Kennedy, 48, of Woodlands Road, Manchester, confirmed his identity, but was not asked to enter a plea to the charge, at Llandudno Magistrates’ Court today (January 10).

Keith Ford, a 40-year-old self-employed gardener of Valley Road, Urmston, was killed in an incident on the railway line close to Prestatyn Golf Club on July 13, 2022.

The court heard that Mr Ford was struck by a train after following Kennedy on to the railway tracks.

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District Judge Gwyn Jones instructed Kennedy to appear at Mold Crown Court on Friday, February 9 for a plea and trial preparation hearing.

“I’ll be there,” he said.

When asked if he understands the nature of his charge, Kennedy replied: “To a degree, yes, I do.”

Kennedy appeared remotely at today’s hearing, and has been granted conditional bail for the time being.

Per the terms of his bail, Kennedy was instructed not to make direct or indirect contact with other interested parties in the case.

British Transport Police was called to the railway line at 5.10pm on July 13, 2022 following reports of a casualty on the line.

Officers and colleagues from the Welsh Ambulance Service and North Wales Fire and Rescue Service also attended, but Mr Ford was pronounced dead at the scene.

A British Transport Police spokesperson added in respect of Mr Ford last week: "His family are being supported by our specially trained family liaison officers and have asked for privacy at this time."

*At the opening of the inquest into his death, held in Ruthin on July 25, 2022, it was heard that Mr Ford was hit by a train and died of chest injuries.