A MAN has been pleaded not guilty to manslaughter in connection with a death on the railway tracks in Prestatyn.

Patrick Kennedy, 48, of Woodlands Road, Manchester, denied killing Keith Ford at Mold Crown Court today (February 8).

A provisional trial start date of Monday, October 14 has been set.

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Mr 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.

During a hearing at Llandudno Magistrates’ Court on January 10, Mr Ford was said to have been struck by a train after following Kennedy on to the railway tracks.

Kennedy has been granted conditional bail for the time being, with his trial expected to last two weeks.

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 tracks.

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 month: "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.