John Belfield jailed after torturing love rival to death as family scream 'rot in hell'
A twisted drug dealer who tortured his love rival to death for two gruelling hours has been sentenced to life in prison amid screams of "rot in hell".
Following the verdict at Manchester Crown Court, John Belfield, 31, was met with screams as he was led from the dock. He hired a team to help him kill Thomas Campbell after forming a relationship with Demi-Lee Driver, his killer's ex-partner, reports the Mirror.
Belfield had previously denied being one of three people who approached Campbell outside of his home in Mossley, Tameside on July 2, 2022. The 38-year-old was discovered tied up with duct tape on his ankles.
Campbell was found with 61 injuries which indicated "restraint" and "asphyxia". He was stabbed and strangled after being taken inside of the property. The group had also covered his genitals in hot liquid.
Coleen Campbell, his ex-wife, had fed her former spouse's killers vital information about his whereabouts and was found guilty of manslaughter following a trial in 2023.
Reece Steven, who Belfield recruited into the crime, was found guilty of murder. Stephen Cleworth, who Belfield also recruited and planted a tracking device on Campbell's car, was convicted of manslaughter. All were jailed in 2023, reports Manchester Evening News.
The third attacker remains unknown and is wanted by police.
Belfield evaded police and fled the country two days after the murder. He eventually holed up in Suriname, a former Dutch colony north of Brazil, before he was arrested there in March 2023 and eventually flown back to Manchester a year later. On Thursday July 3, he was found guilty on both counts by jurors, who were unanimous.
Belfield got a minimum term of 34 years and 261 days, after having been convicted of murder and conspiracy to rob. Mr Justice Graham, who sentenced John Belfield, described the injuries as nothing short but "horrendous". He said he had no doubt that Belfield "took pleasure in his pain".
The judge added: "Thomas Campbell was no saint. Like you, he was involved in the sale and distribution of drugs. He was also a human being. The manner of his death was horrific. His family and friends have had to listen to the description of his injuries.
"His father has described his family's prolific grief - it's plain he was greatly loved. I find you, John Belfield, were the leading role in the conspiracy to rob and the attack itself. This gang of thugs, with which you were the leader, attacked Mr Campbell and stole from him the drugs you believed he had. No one knows what exactly happened in Riverside. It cannot be said who delivered the blows with knives, fists or boots.'
Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community!
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Wales Online
an hour ago
- Wales Online
Body found in hunt for missing soldier who vanished from army base
Body found in hunt for missing soldier who vanished from army base Alex Cairnie's disappearance sparked a major search operation including troops combing the local area Missing soldier Alex Cairnie (Image: Jam Press/Wiltshire Police ) A body has been found during the search for a missing serviceman, police have confirmed. Sergeant Alex Cairnie, aged 30, from the Queen's Royal Hussars regiment, was last spotted around midday on July 6 as he departed Tidworth camp in Wiltshire. His disappearance prompted an extensive search operation, with troops combing the surrounding area alongside military staff, aerial drones and sniffer dogs. This evening, July 8, officers revealed that a body had been discovered close to Warren Hill at approximately 6pm. Authorities believe there are no suspicious circumstances surrounding the death, and relatives have been notified. For our free daily briefing on the biggest issues facing the nation, sign up to the Wales Matters newsletter here Wiltshire police issued a statement saying: "We are very sad to report that a body has been found this evening in the search for missing Alex from Perham Down. Alex, 30, was reported missing on Sunday afternoon leaving Tidworth camp and an urgent search has been ongoing since to find him. "Sadly, at around 6pm this evening, a body was found near Warren Hill. While formal identification has yet to take place, it is believed to be Alex and his next of kin have been informed. Our thoughts are with them at this tragic time. There are not thought to be any suspicious circumstances and a file will be prepared for the coroner," reports the Mirror. Detective Inspector Mark Kent said: "Our thoughts are very much with the family and loved ones of Alex at this extremely difficult time. I would like to thank all those involved in the search efforts to locate him." Article continues below Following his disappearance on Sunday, posters have been circulated in the local area, with community members being encouraged to inspect outbuildings, sheds and rural areas for any signs of the missing serviceman. Hundreds have joined the search effort, led by Drew Short from DS Rescue and Recovery. He posted yesterday: "We've got a search and rescue dog along with 3 trucks were more than happy to give up our time and money. We won't stop looking for you until you are found by someone. We're all really hoping you are ok and please reach out to someone." Sgt Gareth Brooks expressed his concern prior to tonight's statement, describing Alex as a much-loved member of the military. He said: "Alex, we need to know that you are safe. Please call 101 and ask to be put through to me directly. "I'm here to listen and I can give you the time you need to talk things through. "There are many people who care about you and they need to know that you are OK." Amesbury Police previously stated: "We are very concerned for his welfare. "He is thought to have been wearing a light coloured t-shirt and black/grey trousers. "If you see him, or know of his whereabouts, please contact us on 999 quoting log 214 of today's date." Article continues below
Daily Record
3 hours ago
- Daily Record
Man charged following fatal three-vehicle crash that killed biker
A 56-year-old man has been arrested and charged following the death of a 50-year-old motorcyclist. A man has been charged one year on in connection with a fatal three-vehicle crash which killed a biker. On Sunday May 5, 2024, emergency crews raced to the A85 at Glenogle near Crianlarich after receiving reports of a three-vehicle crash involving two motorbikes - a Triumph Tiger and a Suzuki GSXR - and a Toyota Yaris. The 50-year-old male Suzuki motorcyclist died following the crash. A 56-year-old man, who was riding the Triumph Tiger, has been arrested and charged in connection with a road traffic offence. He is due to appear at Stirling Sheriff Court at a later date. A report will be submitted to the Procurator Fiscal. It was reported at the time, that the rider of the Triumph Tiger was airlifted to Ninewells Hospital where his condition was described as 'critical'. The male driver and female passenger in the Toyota did not require medical treatment. The road was closed for ten hours as crash investigations took place. It fully reopened after 3.40am on Monday May 5. Road Policing Sergeant Scott Kirkpatrick offered his condolences to the family of the deceased last year. He said: 'Our thoughts are with the family and friends of the man who died at this very difficult time. 'As our enquiries continue, I'd appeal to anyone with information to come forward. I'd be particularly keen to speak to anyone who saw what happened or has dashcam footage of the area around the time.' Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community!
Reuters
6 hours ago
- Reuters
Ukraine urges investigation into alleged Russian chemical weapons use
THE HAGUE, July 8 (Reuters) - Ukraine asked the global chemical weapons watchdog in The Hague on Tuesday to investigate the alleged use of banned toxic munitions by Russia against its forces. A request to establish an investigation was submitted by Kyiv to the governing body of the organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW). It followed Dutch and German intelligence agencies on Friday saying they had evidence of widespread use of illegal weapons by Russia along the frontline. Agency chief Fernando Arias said in a statement to the OPCW's Executive Council that in view of the alleged frequent use of dangerous chemical agents his office would step up monitoring of activity along the Russia-Ukraine conflict line. He invited Ukraine to discuss its proposal with member states, a majority of whom may be needed to support such an investigation. The OPCW created a similar team in 2018 to examine accusations of chemical weapons use in Syria. The Investigation and Identification Team found that Syrian government forces and Islamic State militants had used banned chemical weapons in the civil war that began in March 2011. The United States first accused Russia in May last year of using chloropicrin, a chemical compound more toxic than riot control agents and first used by Germany during World War One. The OPCW, a disarmament agency in The Hague with 193 member states, said last year that initial accusations levelled by both countries at each other were "insufficiently substantiated". Both sides have denied using chemical weapons in the conflict, which escalated when Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022. "Ukraine hereby requests the Director-General of the OPCW to take steps towards establishing an independent and impartial mechanism (to) investigate cases of alleged use of chemical weapons in Ukraine," a copy of the request shared with Reuters said. It asked that the mechanism be empowered to "collect additional evidence and identify perpetrators, organisers, sponsors of such use." It was submitted at the beginning of four days of closed-door meetings by the 41-country Executive Council of the OPCW. The disarmament body had no immediate comment on the request. At least three Ukrainian deaths have been tied to chemical weapons use, the Dutch Military Intelligence Agency said, while more than 2,500 people injured on the battlefield reported chemical weapons-related symptoms to Ukrainian health authorities. On Monday, Britain two Russian individuals and one Russian entity as part of its chemical weapons sanctions regime, in its latest effort to punish Moscow for the war in Ukraine.
