A bodybuilder addicted to cocaine and steroids, who called himself “the toughest dude in the Northwest,” killed his loving father in an unprovoked nightclub attack. Robert Owen Greenhalg hit 36-year-old Robert Smethurst as the father of two celebrates his birthday with his cousin Aaron Bates in downtown Bolton.
Mr Smethurst, director of a company in the aviation industry, happened to be on Greenhalgh’s feet earlier in the evening, but he apologized and had no more problems while they were both at Bradshawgate’s Luxe Lounge. Without warning, around 1:30 a.m. Greenhall, a 31-year-old carpenter who ran his own business, hit Mr. Bates and then hit Mr. Smethurst with the force of a “heavyweight boxer,” a Manchester court heard.
Mr Bates was able to stop his fall, but Mr Smethurst’s blow caused an immediate brain injury before he fell to the ground. After a brutal attack on the couple, Greenhall swelled his chest and shouted, “Who else wants some?”
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He has now been declared “dangerous” and has been jailed for more than 11 years after pleading guilty to manslaughter following the September 2 attack last year. “For no time did you consider what you did other than brag about your achievement and invite others to attack you,” sentencing judge Anthony Cross told QC.
Mr. Smethurst’s wife, Amanda, an elementary school teacher, boldly recounted in a crowded courtroom how her life had turned upside down from the loss of her soulmate. “They robbed me of my husband, my best friend, my happiness and my future in one,” she said.
Labeling Greenhall as a “coward”, she added: “How can someone be so violent and hateful to my husband who has done absolutely nothing to deserve this attack? My love for my husband is a great proof of what an amazing man he is. I miss him more than words can describe. “
Mr. Smethurst with his wife Amanda and daughters Megan and Olivia (Image: GMP)
Greenhall, known to friends and family as Owen, has no previous convictions, but a police interrogation on his phone revealed a “predisposition” to violence. A former debt collector, he boasted that he had once “knocked out” three people.
He described himself as “the toughest dude in the Northwest” and talked about hitting someone while with a finger knife, said prosecutor Rob Hall. Police were unable to track down the victims of the phone messages, but the judge said they were important in declaring him a “dangerous offender.”
Greenhall also talks about using steroids to accumulate while attending the gym regularly, and also boasts cocaine use. He said in a statement that he had used £ 50,000 of the class A drug for six months. His relationship fell apart and he began living in hotels and friends.
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Family and friends tried to persuade him to give up his drug addiction, and his mother made a firm request to her son in a message. She said, “Owen, you should be ashamed of yourself. You’re kidding if you think this is going to work out. The only way to end this is to die for you.
“Now you have gone so far that you no longer even know what is right and wrong, and for your information, what you do is only done by idiots, not nice people. You lie, cheat, control with brute force, but he will die if you don’t stop. I’m afraid I’m done with you. It’s all right, but you need help. “
“She’s only wrong about one thing,” Judge Cross said. “This will not be your death, but the death of a completely innocent person.”
The night he killed Mr. Smethurst, he was out drinking cider and vodka and snorting cocaine before arriving at the Luxe Lounge later with his best friend. Mr. Smethurst was left in a snooker hall in Bolton by his wife, where he enjoyed a few mugs with his cousin to celebrate their birthdays.
The couple arrived at the Luxe Lounge around 11:15 p.m. At about 11:40 p.m., Mr. Smethurst accidentally got to Greenhall’s feet, but he apologized and they left on good terms.
(Image: Facebook)
About 10 minutes before the fatal attack, there was an “innocent” conversation between the two groups, but there were no problems. Greenhall, who was sitting in a booth at the club, suddenly got up, clapped his hands, and punched Mr. Smethurst and his cousin.
Mr. Bates managed to stop his fall and suffered a concussion. There was no memory of the attack. But Mr. Smethurst suffered an immediate brain injury. He was pronounced dead about an hour later.
Even Greenhall’s friend said he was “completely shocked” by what had happened because it was “so unexpected.” Greenhall swelled his chest and offered further violence.
“It is not surprising that no one, including the door staff, intervened, such was the horror you caused at this club,” Judge Cross told Greenhalgh. Greenhall then set off in his work van, although he was not fit for alcohol or drugs.
He was later found in a hotel in Lee. Police found a syringe containing traces of testosterone and trenbolone, a steroid commonly used by veterinarians to increase muscle growth and appetite in cattle, in his work van.
In an interview with officers, Greenhall “accused” Mr. Smethurst and Mr. Bates of being “cocky” and said they watched him “funny” even after he was shown CCTV footage that proved their innocence. . He also tried to blame his actions on the alcohol and drugs he used.
Police at the scene the next day (Image: MEN Media)
Greenhalgh was initially charged with murder, but pleaded guilty to manslaughter, a confession accepted by prosecutors who ruled there would be no real prospect of a murder conviction. A touching tribute was paid to Mr Smethurst in court. His 13-year-old daughter describes him as “hearty”, “caring” and “funny”.
He loved fishing and spending time with his family. He and his wife dreamed of early retirement in France, she said. His parents spoke of their pride in their “beautiful” son.
Defending, Michael Brady QC said that Greenhall, without a fixed address, regrets and is ashamed of his behavior. He described Greenhalgh’s reports of his drug use and apparent violence as “unpleasant boasting”.
Judge Cross sentenced Greenhall to 11 years and three months in prison. He will serve two-thirds of his term in prison. When he is released, he will have to comply with an additional three years and nine months of license.
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