Trial of Halesowen man accused of manslaughter after blind victim dies following pub attack

A man is currently on trial for manslaughter after his victim, who was left blind following a violent assault outside a Halesowen pub, died more than a year later. Neil Greenaway suffered a traumatic brain injury after being forcefully pushed by Daniel Sedgley. The prosecution at Wolverhampton Crown Court says the attack led to epilepsy which ultimately caused Greenaway’s death.

On the evening of 8 October 2022, Sedgley, aged 35, attacked Greenaway outside the Lighthouse pub in Halesowen, as confirmed by CCTV footage. The assault ended with Sedgley pushing Greenaway forcefully, causing him to fall backwards and hit the back of his head on the ground. Greenaway was subsequently taken to Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham where he was diagnosed with a fractured skull and brain damage.

As a result of the injury, Greenaway’s ability to communicate was significantly impaired. He was also left blind, had part of his skull removed following surgery to relieve pressure on his brain, and needed to wear a protective helmet. He became dependent on others for daily care and was unable to live independently.

Following the attack, Greenaway developed severe epilepsy, with frequent, serious seizures requiring multiple hospital admissions including at Russells Hall Hospital in Dudley and New Cross Hospital in Wolverhampton. Despite receiving anti-epileptic medication, his seizures remained uncontrolled. Medical staff considered his prognosis poor and believed his epilepsy increased the risk of sudden death.

Prosecutor Harpreet Sandhu KC told jurors that Greenaway died on 3 November 2023, approximately thirteen months after the attack. The cause of death was a seizure related to the brain injury sustained. Jurors heard that Greenaway was found unresponsive at Perton Manor, near Wolverhampton, in the early hours of that morning and was pronounced dead at the scene.

A post-mortem examination revealed Greenaway had a stable heart condition, which the prosecution argued was not the primary cause of death. It was suggested that despite missing his anti-epileptic medication the previous day, Greenaway was already at high risk due to his epilepsy. The circumstances of his death, including his prone position, bitten tongue, and fluid in the lungs, were consistent with a seizure-related fatality.

Sedgley has admitted causing serious harm to Greenaway but denies manslaughter, arguing that Greenaway’s heart condition could have contributed to his death and that his actions did not make more than a minimal contribution. The trial is ongoing.