Son of 'old-fashioned' farmer, 75, 'shot dead while sitting on vintage tractor in field' charged with his manslaughter

By JAMES TOZER, NORTHERN CORRESPONDENT Published: 11:15, 30 June 2026 | Updated: 11:15, 30 June 2026 The son of a 75-year-old farmer shot dead in his field has been charged with his manslaughter. Thomas Olverson was working on his farm in rural Lancashire on July 25, 2024 when he died of gunshot injuries. The violent death of the 'old-fashioned farmer' shortly before 5pm sent shockwaves through the quiet community of Scarisbrick, near Ormskirk. Police immediately launched a murder inquiry and cordoned off Marsh Hey Farm, with a shotgun recovered from the scene. Neighbours said they believed Mr Olverson had been shot while sitting on a vintage tractor, with forensics officers pictured examining the vehicle which had been abandoned in the middle of a field. His son Adam Olverson was arrested on suspicion of murder before being bailed while officers carried out inquiries. Today Lancashire Police said the 31-year-old was re-arrested on Monday and has since been charged with manslaughter, possession of a firearm without a licence and possession of ammunition without a licence. He is due to appear before magistrates in Preston on Wednesday. Thomas Olverson, 75, was found dead having suffered gunshot injuries at a farm on Pinfold Lane in Scarisbrick Police pictured examining the scene in a Lancashire field following the shooting of Mr Olverson on July 25, 2024 Mr Olverson Sr is understood to have lived on the farm for much of his life, along with his wife and son.  Shortly after his death, the Lancashire Evening Post reported how his funeral was held at St Catharine's Church in Scarisbrick with his wife, son and a police officer present.  Andrew Overton, a neighbour of the family, previously told how he used to work for Mr Olverson Sr, known as Tommy, decades earlier. 'He would keep himself to himself, he was very quiet,' he said.  'He would always be walking past the house to his field at the end of the road. 'I've not known Tommy for a big gap in my life but when I moved back I would talk to him but he just kept himself to himself.  'A few weeks before his death I was in the front garden and him and his son stopped and spoke to me.  Another neighbour, Dennis Fullingham, said he used to see Mr Olverson Sr going into the field with a machete in hand to harvest cabbages. 'I have never seen anyone else at the farm,' he said.  'I would always see Thomas working, an old fashioned farmer.' Sorry we are not currently accepting comments on this article.