Bodybuilder killed father with a punch

A BODYBUILDER killed a “warmhearted” father-of-two with a single punch for accidentally stepping on his foot in a nightclub.

Robert Owen Greenhalgh, 31, launched an “out of the blue” attack on Robert Smethurst, 36, punching him with enough force to cause immediate brain trauma on Sept 2 last year.

Mr Smethurst had bumped into Greenhalgh while celebrating his birthday with his cousin, Aaron Bates, in Bolton, but had apologised. However, later Greenhalgh punched Mr Bates and then Mr Smethurst with the force of a “heavyweight boxer”, Manchester Crown Court heard.

Mr Bates was able to break his fall and suffered concussion. But Mr Smethurst, who sustained immediate brain trauma, was declared dead around an hour later.

Greenhalgh tried to blame his actions on the drugs and alcohol he had used.

He admitted manslaughter and was sentenced to 11 years and three months in prison. Mr Smethurst’s 13-year-old daughter described her father as “warm-hearted”, “caring” and “fun”.