Man charged with manslaughter at Willington Queen’s Head pub

Police were called to the Queen’s Head pub in Willington, County Durham just after 4.45pm on December 24 where a man was found unconscious.

Despite the best efforts of the medics the man, who has not been named, was pronounced dead at the scene.

A man was arrested on Christmas Day on suspicion of murder/

Martin Ian Greensmith, 36, has since been charged with manslaughter and was remanded into custody.

Greensmith, of Crook, is set to appear at Teesside Magistrates’ Court on Saturday (December 27) morning.

An investigation is ongoing and the victim’s family is being supported by specialist officers, police said.

The pub confirmed on social media it would remain closed on Christmas Day, when a police van remained stationed outside.

It was open again on Boxing Day morning.

One resident said: “There was a police van with blue flashing lights outside the pub and another parked further up the road.

“An ambulance was parked across the road, and there was another one round the back of the pub.”

Anyone with information is asked to call Durham Polie on 101, or 999 in an emergency, quoting incident number 306 of December 24. Information can also be passed on to Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.