Man guilty of manslaughter for pushing biological father to death in pub garden on Christmas Eve
Quick Look
- Martin Greensmith, 37, was found guilty of manslaughter after pushing Steven Shevels, 61, whom he had only recently learned was his biological father, causing his death in a pub garden in Willington, County Durham on Christmas Eve.
- Jurors deliberated for nearly six hours before reaching a verdict, with 10 of 12 jurors agreeing on guilt.
- Greensmith claimed he only pushed Shevels 'gently' after feeling intimidated, but prosecutors argued it occurred during a fit of anger.
AI-generated summary
Why It Matters
Martin Greensmith only learned shortly before the incident that Steven Shevels was his biological father. The encounter occurred behind The Queen's Head pub in Willington on Christmas Eve after both men had been drinking inside. Shevels was known locally in Crook to be a nuisance when intoxicated.
A man who pushed over and killed his newly-discovered father in a pub garden on Christmas Eve has been found guilty of manslaughter.
Martin Greensmith, 37, only learnt Steven Shevels, 61, was his biological father shortly before their encounter behind The Queen's Head in Willington, County Durham, on 24 December, Teesside Crown Court heard.
Greensmith said he only "gently" pushed Shevels after the victim "intimidated" him, but prosecutors maintained he had caused his death during a fit of anger.
The defendant, who told jurors he was "very remorseful" and wanted to apologise to the victim's family, will be sentenced on 21 October.
Judge Jonathan Carroll remanded Greensmith into custody on the grounds of the "likely sentence" that would be imposed.
Jurors reached their verdict after almost six hours of deliberation, with 10 of the cohort of 12 finding him guilty.
Speaking after the verdict, Shevels' sister, Angela, said her brother was "the victim of an unprovoked act of violence that took his life far too soon".
His death had "left a hole in all our hearts" and a "future forever changed for all of his family, friends, and everyone who knew him", she added.
Jurors had heard how the Greensmith family had gone to The Queen's Head on the afternoon of 24 December, where Shevels was also drinking.
Greensmith told the court, although he knew his father was a man called Steven Shevels, it was not until his family were in the pub on Christmas Eve that his mother identified him.
Shevels, who the court heard was known in the town of Crook to be a nuisance when drunk, annoyed the Greensmith family by sitting nearby and trying to talk to them.
Greensmith said he went outside to get away from Shevels, but a few minutes later the victim also went out into the beer garden, having been asked to leave the pub, the jury heard.
The defendant told jurors he went to walk past Shevels, but the victim put his arm out to block him, and the pair exchanged a few short sentences, culminating with Greensmith telling the other man "something along the lines of 'you're my dad, I don't want to know you'".
What to Watch
AI outlook — possibilities, not facts
Martin Greensmith will receive a custodial sentence for manslaughter
Very likely · Within weeks
Open Questions
- What was the exact nature of the relationship between Martin Greensmith and Steven Shevels prior to the discovery of paternity?
- Whether any prior contact or attempts at reconciliation occurred between the two after the discovery of their biological relationship
- Whether alcohol consumption played a role in escalating the confrontation beyond the described push
