THE alleged mastermind behind the murder of a man who was found naked and bound with duct tape sent vile texts to his ex-girlfriend before the killing, a court heard.
Thomas Campbell was ambushed on his doorstep in an attack allegedly orchestrated by his partner’s ex-boyfriend.
John Belfield denies murder and conspiracy to rob[/caption]
The victim’s glam ex Coleen was previously convicted for manslaughter after his death[/caption]
Thomas Campbell was killed on July 3, 2022[/caption]
His body was discovered by his neighbours the morning after three men “pounced” on him as he arrived home late on a Saturday night, a court heard.
Manchester Crown Court was told the 38-year-old was killed on July 3, 2022 after “very careful planning by a team of highly organised criminals”.
The alleged “mastermind” of the plot is John Belfield, 31, who is on trial and denies murder.
Thomas was dating Belfield’s ex-girlfriend and he was “hostile” about the relationship, the court heard.
The victim’s glam ex Coleen was previously convicted for manslaughter after his death, and she was jailed for 13 years in 2023.
The mum-of-four passed on information about her ex husband’s movements – including details she learned from her children.
Prosecutors argue Belfield was looking for “items of value” in Thomas’, Mossley home, in Greater Manchester.
Today Manchester Crown Court heard how Belfield sent messages to his ex-girlfriend Demi-Lee Driver after she started dating Thomas.
One text read: “You and that helmet will get domed.
“Shut your mouth you dog.”
In more he wrote: “There’s not a thing you or him will do so. I think you should get my draws out your house Monday.
“And I’m going to shag his baby mum now for the point of it, you money grabbing little dog.”
The jury heard Belfield give evidence in his defence today and he admitted to dealing drugs.
He told the court he was at his sister’s house the night of the killing.
Thomas Campbell had also been a dealer and Belfield admitted planning his steal his drugs[/caption]
Images of the crime scene in Greater Manchester[/caption]
Mum-of-four Coleen had passed on information about her ex husband’s movements[/caption]
Richard Wright KC, defending, asked Belfield if he understood that the prosecution were arguing he had “personal motivation” to attack Thomas because of his new relationship with Demi-Lee.
Mr Wright then asked: “Did you conspire with Coleen Campbell and others to target Mr Campbell as a victim for robbery in his own home?”
Belfield denied this and further denied that he was “motivated by jealously or anger” over Demi-Lee’s relationship with Thomas.
Belfield did admit he had planned to steal Thomas’ drugs, as he was also a dealer.
He denied knowledge of and planting a tracking device on Thomas’ van five days before the killing – but told the court he did surveil the house.
Belfield also denied bringing any torture items to the scene, which had been bought from a B&Q four days before the killing.
He agreed that he did flee the country after the murder but told the court: “I was scared his friend were going to attack me and kill me because of the rumours they had heard.”
Prosecutor Dr Philip Lumb told Manchester Crown Court earlier this week that Thomas was discovered in the hallway of his home, lying on his back after the savage attack.
“He was naked apart from a pair of socks,” he told the court.
Dr Lumb told the court Thomas’ ankles were “bound together tightly” with duct tape.
Injuries to the head and neck suggested a “sustained blunt sharp force physical assault”.
Dr Lumb argued that burns on Thomas’s body had been caused by a “hot liquid such as hot water”, MEN reported.
His arm was found with a “makeshift tourniquet” after an injury that would have bled a lot.
Dr Lumb concluded that Thomas’s cause of death included “multiple sharp force injures, blunt force head injuries” and “pressure to the neck”.
Jurors were told on Thursday of jokey messages sent to Belfield by his alleged “right-hand man” Reece Steven.
Steven, 29, was previously found guilty of Thomas’s murder with conspiracy to rob and he was sentenced to life in prison.
In a conversation about Thomas’ horror injuries, Steven wrote: “Tommy crumble. Dripping in tom juice everywhere.”
Belfield’s driver Stephen Cleworth, 38, was also convicted of manslaughter and conspiracy to rob and was jailed for 12 years.
The identity of the third attacker remains a mystery.
Belfield denies murder and conspiracy to rob.
The trial continues.
Colleen was jailed for 13 years in 2023[/caption]
Reece Steven, 29, and Belfield’s driver Stephen Cleworth were both jailed for their role in Thomas’s death[/caption]
