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A 37-year-old man has been convicted of manslaughter at Teesside Crown Court after fatally pushing his biological father in a pub beer garden on Christmas Eve 2025, just hours after discovering his identity.

The fatal encounter occurred outside the Queen’s Head in Willington, County Durham. Martin Greensmith had known his biological father was named Steven Shevels but did not know who he was in the local community until his mother pointed out the 61-year-old inside the pub. After Shevels attempted to speak to the family and was asked to leave, a confrontation developed in the beer garden around 4:45 p.m. Greensmith shoved Shevels, causing him to strike his head on the concrete and suffer a fatal cardiac arrest.

During the seven-day trial, Greensmith admitted to pushing Shevels but denied manslaughter, claiming he acted in self-defence because he felt threatened. Prosecutors argued the push was an unlawful, unjustified act of anger. A jury rejected Greensmith's defense, returning a 10-to-two majority guilty verdict after nearly six hours of deliberation.

Evidence presented by Durham Constabulary showed that while Greensmith initially tried to assist Shevels after the fall, he fled before police and paramedics arrived. Following his arrest at his home on Christmas Day, detectives discovered Greensmith had searched online for solicitors and information on "involuntary manslaughter" shortly after leaving the pub.

Judge Jonathan Carroll remanded Greensmith in custody, stating that immediate detention was necessary given the likely length of his punishment. Greensmith will return to Teesside Crown Court for sentencing on October 21.

Aldi is introducing its new Essential Winter Pet collection to Specialbuys aisles across its more than 1,000 UK stores. Designed to offer comfort and warmth as temperatures drop, the seasonal range features outerwear, bedding, and interactive toys for both cats and dogs, with prices starting at £2.49.

The collection includes a variety of pet bedding options, led by the Comfy Pet Bed, which ranges from £12.99 for small sizes up to £24.99 for extra-large. Shoppers can also find a matching Faux Fur Pet Blanket for £9.99 and Novelty Pet Beds for £9.99, available in autumn-themed designs including mushroom, tree trunk, pumpkin, and acorn.

For outdoor walkies during the colder months, the line offers outerwear such as a Dog Raincoat for £9.99 in forest green or beige, alongside a Dog Bomber Jacket starting from £6.99. Matching Dog Collars and Leashes in grey or beige are available for £6.99.

The winter line-up is rounded out with interactive toys for indoor play, including an Automatic Pet Ball for £3.99, a Dog Snuffle Plush Toy for £3.99, and the Catnip Ball Toy for £2.49. The Essential Winter Pet range lands in stores on Thursday, September 10, and will only be available while stocks last.

A mother who spent nearly three decades blaming herself for her four-year-old son's death from E. coli is seeking answers after learning the bacteria may have originated from seawater at a Blackpool beach. Rachael Bell, 61, lost her son Matthew in October 1997 after he contracted E. coli O157 and developed haemolytic uraemic syndrome, a rare condition that leads to kidney failure. Matthew's younger brother, Tom, also contracted the illness but recovered.

At the time of the diagnosis, a local authority environmental health officer questioned Bell about her food preparation and shopping habits while dismissing her suspicion that the boys fell ill after playing in the sand and sea near Blackpool. Although the officer claimed the pathogen could not survive in water, E. coli can remain active in water for up to 91 days. Believing the official, Bell carried guilt over her son's death for decades.

Bell's perspective changed earlier this year after she watched 'Dirty Business,' a Channel 4 factual drama examining raw sewage dumping by water companies and the 1999 death of eight-year-old Heather Preen from the same strain. Prompted by the program, Bell requested Matthew's medical records from Alder Hey Children's Hospital in Liverpool, where he died in intensive care.

After six months of delays and multiple form submissions, Alder Hey released over 500 pages of medical documents following inquiry by reporters. Bell stated she will now review the records in an effort to secure justice for her son.