Guilty: Killer who tortured and murdered a man before fleeing the country and texting co-conspirators during their trial
Wendy Logan, District Crown Prosecutor for CPS North West, said: “John Belfield was responsible for leading a meticulously planned attack to kill Thomas Campbell. Evidence presented by the prosecution made it clear that Belfield had orchestrated this attack and left no stone unturned to ensure it would be successful including organising surveillance of Campbell’s every move and even conducting dress rehearsals for their plans.
"Belfield then took extreme steps to evade justice by removing his fingerprints and DNA from the scene of the crime and fleeing on a plane to Suriname in South America – a country where he had no previous connections. Despite the 4,500-mile distance, Belfield remained in constant contact with his co-conspirators during their trial, even offering them advise over text message about their trial strategy.
"My thoughts are with the loved ones of Thomas Campbell and I hope that today’s verdict will help them feel some sense of justice knowing Belfield will join his co-conspirators behind bars."
Notes to editors
- Three other individuals have previously stood trial and been convicted for their involvement in the killing of Thomas Campbell
- Reece Steven, DOB 22/05/1993, was convicted of murder and conspiracy to rob. He was sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum term of 37 years
- Stephen Cleworth, DOB 24/11/1984 was convicted of manslaughter and conspiracy to rob. He was sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum term of 12 years
- Coleen Campbell, DOB 27/03/1984, was convicted of manslaughter and conspiracy to rob. She was sentenced to a total of 13 years imprisonment
- Reece Steven, Stephen Clemworth and Coleen Campbell were sentenced on 22 February 2023 at Manchester Crown Court
- John Robert Thomas Belfield, DOB 13/09/1994 has been convicted of murder and conspiracy to rob
- He will be sentenced on 04 July 2025.