Man meets stranger at English pub. Then allegedly kills him after his mother reveals 37-year secret: ‘I now dread the thought of Christmas’
It was the first and last time he met his biological father.
On Christmas Eve in 2025, 37-year-old Martin Greensmith was at The Queen’s Head in Willington, County Durham, with his family when his mother revealed that one of the guests at the pub was actually his biological father that he never met. However, the night took a tragic turn when Greensmith allegedly killed his father, 61-year-old Steven Shevels, later that evening, landing him six years in jail for manslaughter.
According to Newcastle Crown Court, Greensmith was already at the pub when Shevels, who was reportedly intoxicated, arrived and interacted with Greensmith and his family. During this time, Greensmith’s mother revealed their close biological connection, which allegedly caused Greensmith to become “immediately angry and aggressive” when Shevels “objected” to something he said, according to Judge Jonathan Carroll, as reported by the Manchester Evening News.
The exchange between the two supposedly turned physical when Greensmith approached Shevels and gave him a “powerful and aggressive push” on his upper body when they were out in the beer garden. The act is said to have caused Shevels to lose his balance, leading him to fall and hit his head on the concrete, according to the court.
Victim’s family learned of his death on Christmas
Greensmith was reportedly among those who attempted to help Shevels after his fall but left the pub before emergency services arrived. Shevels ultimately succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene despite life-saving efforts by first responders.
Shevels’ family said they only learned of his death “through gossip from other people” while opening presents on Christmas Day. “I now dread the thought of Christmas,” his daughter, Chloe Shevels, said during a victim impact statement read in court, according to BBC.
Shevels’ sister, Angela Thompson, also expressed her grief over the tragedy. She described Shevels as the victim of an “unprovoked and selfish act of violence” that ultimately cost him his life and took him from his family, marring what should have been a joyous occasion.
“It’s bad enough this happened, but for it to have happened on Christmas Eve makes it a lot worse,” Thompson said. “Christmas is supposed to be a time of happiness and togetherness. Well, that’s been taken away from us now.”
Greensmith denies committing manslaughter
Greensmith was arrested on Christmas Day at his home in Willington. According to Durham Police, Greensmith allegedly spent an hour on his phone researching the topic of involuntary manslaughter while searching for solicitors.
During a seven-day trial at Teesside Crown Court in September that found him guilty, Greensmith reportedly admitted to “gently” pushing Shevels. However, he denied the manslaughter charge and claimed Shevels had “intimidated” him.
The news of Shevels as his biological father may have “overwhelmed” Greensmith, according to a pre-sentence report. Greensmith told the court that he was “genuinely remorseful” and has since had intrusive thoughts and felt “significant emotional distress” following the incident.
Prosecutors, however, argued that Shevels’ death was the result of Greensmith’s anger. Judge Carroll also told Greensmith that Shevels did not present any “risk or threat” to him during their interaction. He added, “The jury, rightly in my view, rejected your assertion of self-defence.”
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