Man kills biological dad in pub garden just hours after learning that they were related
Martin Greensmith has been found guilty of manslaughter after a fatal encounter with Steven Shevels at a County Durham pub last year.
61-year-old Shevels died after hitting his head on concrete after being pushed over outside The Queen's Head in Willington on Christmas Eve 2025, following an encounter with Greensmith.
It's understood that Greensmith had been told that Shevels was his biological father shortly before the incident occurred.
The 37-year-old was later arrested and admitted to 'gently' pushing Shevels after the other man had 'intimated' him, but denied manslaughter.
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However, a Teesside court has since found him guilty of manslaughter last week (2 September).
He will be sentenced on 21 October.
"It shows how split-second decisions can have life-long consequences."
During the trial, Greensmith told the court that he'd first noticed Shevels at the bar while drinking with his family, with his mother then confirming that he was Greensmith's biological father.
Shevels then came and sat down next to the family, with Greensmith telling jurors the proximity made him 'uncomfortable'. When asked about a gesture he allegedly made to Shevels, Greensmith said that he had been trying to get the other man to leave, not challenging him to a fight as the prosecution had claimed.
The family then moved to the beer garden, with Greensmith telling the court: "I didn't want to fight the man, I just wanted to stay away."
Shortly after, Shevels came into the beer garden after being asked to leave the pub and came face-to-face with Greensmith, who was walking back into the building. It's here that Greensmith claimed Shevels had 'intimidated' him, leading him to 'instinctively' push the older man to 'create some space between us'.
Shevels then fell to the ground, with Greensmith saying he was 'devastated and in total shock' at what had happened and went inside to get the man a glass of water.
He later left the pub after hearing someone say that Shevels had a pulse, leading him to believe the man would 'still be okay'.
He would learn the following morning that Shevels had died due to head injuries sustained from hitting the concrete.
"I'm very remorseful and apologise to the family of Steven, this has made my life hell," Greensmith told jurors during the trial.
Following the conviction, Steven’s sister Angela called the incident an 'unprovoked act of violence', adding that his death had left 'a hole in all our hearts'.
"My brother Steven was the victim of an unprovoked act of violence that took his life far too soon,” she said. “His passing has left a hole in all our hearts, and a future forever changed for all of his family, friends, and everyone who knew him."
"This is a truly devastating case. It shows how split-second decisions can have life-long consequences and an unimaginable impact on everyone around them, added Durham Constabulary Detective Chief Inspector Alfie Keane.
"Our thoughts remain with Steven’s family and friends at this difficult time."
Brenna Cooper