Man found guilty of manslaughter over church organist Alan Greaves' killing

A man has been found guilty of the manslaughter of church organist Alan Greaves on Christmas Eve in Sheffield.

Ashley Foster, 22, was cleared of murder by a jury at Sheffield Crown Court.

The 68-year-old was attacked with a pick-axe handle as he made his way to St Saviour's Church in High Green.

Another man, Jonathan Bowling, also 22, had earlier admitted murdering Mr Greaves.

Both men will be sentenced on Friday.

There was confusion in court when the clerk only asked the jury foreman whether he was guilty of murder.

When the foreman said "not guilty" there were celebrations from Foster's family.

But as Mr Greaves's widow Maureen looked shocked and confused, the jury foreman, who had already been asked to sit, shouted "but guilty of manslaughter".

Speaking outside court, Mrs Greaves said "justice has been done for the actions taken for the murder of an innocent man".

She added: "Alan was a man driven by love and compassion and he would not want any of us to hold on to feelings of hate and unforgiveness".

Det Supt Matt Fenwick from South Yorkshire Police, who led the investigation into the lay preacher's death, said he suffered an "appalling" and "totally unprovoked" attack.

"I can only hope that today's verdict will bring some solace" to Alan Greaves' family, he added.

Canon Simon Bessant, vicar of St Saviour’s Church also welcomed the manslaughter verdict, and said:

"Alan was intending to celebrate the coming of light at Christmas, yet he himself was the victim of darkness just a few minutes away from doors of the church."

Before today's verdict, ITV News Correspondent Damon Green interviewed Maureen Greaves.

The Church Army evangelist spoke of her deepest regret and how her husband helped her forgive those responsible for his death: