SA man Benjamin Robert McPartland pleads guilty to death of girl, 4, in backyard motorbike crash

A MAN has admitting killing a four-year-old girl in a backyard motorcycle accident - but the child's mother will stand trial next year.

A MAN has admitting killing a four-year-old girl in a backyard motorcycle accident - but the child's mother will stand trial next year.

Benjamin Robert McPartland, 27, faced the Supreme Court this morning.

He and Ashlee Jean Polkinghorne, 22, have been jointly charged with manslaughter.

Prosecutors have alleged Polkinghorne's daughter, Chloe Valentine, was placed on a motorcycle that crashed into a tree in an Ingle Farm backyard in January last year.

They further alleged the pair's reports to the ambulance crews at the scene were inconsistent.

In August, McPartland and Polkinghorne pleaded not guilty to the charge and were ordered to stand trial.

Today, however, lawyers for McPartland asked their client be re-arraigned on the charge.

McPartland then pleaded guilty to one count of manslaughter on the basis he "unlawfully killed" Chloe.

Prosecutors asked the case be adjourned until January to allow negotiations as to the "factual basis" for McPartland's admission.

They said Polkinghorne was still scheduled to stand trial in February, however they felt there was "a possibility her matter might resolve".

Justice Trish Kelly remanded McPartland on continuing bail.