John Belfield, wanted for murder.
Share this @internewscast.com

THE girlfriend of a man tortured to death sent naked videos to his alleged killer, a court heard.

Thomas Campbell, 38, was ambushed on his doorstep in an attack allegedly orchestrated by his partner Demi-Lee Driver’s ex-boyfriend John Belfield.

John Belfield, wanted for murder.
John Belfield denies murder and conspiracy to robCredit: MEN Media
Mugshot of a man in a light blue shirt.
Thomas Campbell had also been a dealer and Belfield admitted planning to steal his drugsCredit: GMP
Coleen Campbell, jailed for manslaughter.
The victim’s glam ex Coleen was previously convicted for manslaughter after his deathCredit: Enterprise

His neighbors found his body on his back with his ankles “tightly bound together” with duct tape, the morning after three men “attacked” him, the court heard.

The alleged “mastermind” of the plot is John Belfield, 31, who is on trial and denies murder.

The victim’s glam ex Coleen Campbell 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.

Thomas was currently dating Belfield’s ex-girlfriend Demi-Lee and the victim was “hostile” about the relationship, Manchester Crown Court was told.

Drug dealer Belfield, 31, claimed in court that Demi-Lee had sent him a raunchy video of herself dancing naked and asking for sex.

Belfield said he responded by sending a screenshot of Demi-Lee’s clip to Campbell – but insisted he “did not want any trouble”.

The jury heard Belfield give evidence in his defence and he admitted to dealing drugs but denied killing Campbell.

He denied having any intention to rob Campbell, or use violence against him.

The self-confessed drug dealer told the court he was at his sister’s house the night of the killing.

Belfield maintained his only plan was to steal drugs from Campbell, believing that he stored them in fields or open areas.

Belfield said he informed fellow drug dealer Campbell about the video sent by Driver because he wanted to be “transparent” with him.

He said: “It was not a good idea for me to get into conflict with Tom Campbell,’ he added.

“Tom’s a lot bigger and stronger than me.”

Belfield said he “definitely” did not want to rekindle his relationship with Driver, adding that the feeling was “mutual”.

He added: “I just wanted to tell Tom.

“I did not want any trouble with him. I just wanted to be transparent before anything came out about his ex-wife.”

Man petting a chained tiger.
Thomas Campbell was killed on July 3, 2022Credit: MEN Media
Aerial view of a murder scene, with police vehicles and forensic tents.
Images of the crime scene in Greater ManchesterCredit: Cavendish
Colleen Campbell and Thomas outside Manchester Crown Court facing money laundering charges.
Mum-of-four Coleen had passed on information about her ex husband’s movementsCredit: Cavendish

When questioned by his barrister Richard Wright KC, Belfield said he had known Campbell for around ten years, describing him as “higher up than me” in the drug trade.

Belfield – who confessed to living a “criminal lifestyle” – denied any knowledge of or involvement in planting a tracking device on Thomas’ van five days before the incident.

However, he 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.

Belfield was extradited back from Suriname in South America after the killing and is now on trial for murder.

Coleen is one of three people to have been previously convicted in connection with her ex-husband’s death following a trial in 2023.

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.

‘SAVAGE ATTACK’

Prosecutor Dr Philip Lumb told Manchester Crown Court last 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 concluded that Thomas’s cause of death included “multiple sharp force injures, blunt force head injuries” and “pressure to the neck”.

Jurors were told last week 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, of no fixed address, denies murder and conspiracy to rob.

The trial continues. 

Mugshot of Colleen Campbell.
Colleen was jailed for 13 years in 2023Credit: GMP
Mugshots of Reece Steven and Stephen Cleworth.
Reece Steven, 29, and Belfield’s driver Stephen Cleworth were both jailed for their role in Thomas’s deathCredit: GMP
Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like
Police: Florida teacher used AI to make child sexual abuse images of students

Florida Teacher Receives 135-Year Sentence for AI-Generated Student Exploitation Images

David McKeown, a former educator at a Volusia County school, has been…
Ghislaine Maxwell plans to ask judge to free her from prison, and she'll represent herself, lawyer says

Ghislaine Maxwell Set to Represent Herself in Bid for Prison Release: Legal Drama Unfolds

Ghislaine Maxwell, the former companion of Jeffrey Epstein and convicted accomplice, is…
Thunderbirds pilot ejects safely as F-16C crashes during California training mission over controlled airspace

Thunderbirds Pilot Safely Ejects After F-16C Crash in California Training Exercise

On Wednesday, a U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds pilot safely ejected from an…
NJ mayor charged with child endangerment after caught driving while drunk

NJ Mayor Arrested for Drunk Driving and Child Endangerment

A New Jersey mayor, whose reckless actions earlier this year shocked her…
Suspected thieves caught on camera smashing Washington state storefront with truck in ATM heist attempt

Daring ATM Heist: Suspected Thieves Ram Truck into Washington Storefront, Caught on Camera

Video shows botched ATM heist at Walgreens In a dramatic display of…
Elevated CTA train station at State, Lake downtown Chicago to close for 3 years in January for reconstruction

State/Lake CTA Station in Downtown Chicago to Undergo 3-Year Closure for Major Reconstruction Starting January

CHICAGO (WLS) — The Chicago Department of Transportation has announced that the…
Police search for suspect on US-1 near Abbotts Way in St. Johns County

Breaking: Manhunt Underway on US-1 Near Abbotts Way in St. Johns County – Stay Alert!

The St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office is urging the public to steer…
Marine killed during tactical vehicle training exercise at California military base

Marine Fatally Injured in Tactical Vehicle Training Exercise at California Military Base

On Wednesday, military authorities reported the tragic death of a U.S. Marine…
Far Rockaway man arrested for beating Queens homeowner during wild car meetup

Shocking Assault in Queens: Far Rockaway Man Arrested at Chaotic Car Meetup

Authorities have announced the arrest of a Far Rockaway resident involved in…
US military conducts strike on another suspected drug boat as probe into the first strike begins

US Military Launches Second Strike on Suspected Drug Vessel Amid Ongoing Investigation of Initial Operation

WASHINGTON — On Thursday, the U.S. Southern Command announced a new military…
NYU attack suspect allegedly assaulted woman days earlier, found burglarizing off-campus apartments: report

NYU Attack Suspect Linked to Previous Assault and Off-Campus Burglaries: Police Report Reveals Shocking Details

A New York man has been taken into custody following allegations of…
Lawmakers hear from Adm. Frank "Mitch" Bradley, the Navy admiral who reportedly ordered attack that killed boat strike survivors

Controversial Navy Attack: Lawmakers Grill Adm. Frank ‘Mitch’ Bradley on Fatal Boat Strike Decision

WASHINGTON — A high-ranking Navy admiral, accused of commanding the U.S. military…