Willington man guilty of killing his dad in pub garden

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.