THE MOSSLEY street that found itself the scene of a horrific murder is back to normal – children playing in bikes, daily life going on.
But the events of July 2, 2022 left an indelible mark on Riverside as the guilty verdict of murder and life sentence given to John Belfield brought it all back.
The police tape for two weeks, the dozens of people paying respects – including his ex-wife Coleen, the reality of what actually happened behind the closed door as Thomas Campbell suffered 61 injuries in a two-hour attack.
Now ‘mastermind’ Belfield, who fled to the South America nation of Suriname, has been sentenced to life in prison – with a minimum term of 34 years and 261 days.
As he was led from the dock, there were shouts of, ‘rot in hell,’ and ‘rat.’
Neighbour Lee Barraclough told the earlier trial of Ms Campbell, Stephen Cleworth and Reece Steven how he discovered the gruesome scene after going for a bike ride at 7.30am on Sunday, July 3.
He said: “I could see a male body on the floor, with blood everywhere.
“I instinctively knew he was dead and didn’t want to go any closer to the house because I was in shock.
“There was just so much blood everywhere.”
Coleen Campbell was found guilty of manslaughter with conspiracy to rob following the 2023 trial for her role and was sentenced to 13 years, with a minimum of two-thirds to be served in prison.
Reece Steven, who Belfield recruited and was one of the attackers to kill Mr Campbell, was found guilty of murder with conspiracy to rob and sentenced to life in prison with a minimum of 37 years.
Stephen Cleworth, who Belfield also recruited and placed a tracking device on Mr Campbell’s car, was convicted of manslaughter with conspiracy to rob and was jailed for life with a minimum of 12 years.
The third attacker remains unknown and is wanted by police.
Detectives secured CCTV footage from June 27, 2002 – less than a week before the murder – showing Belfield with Steven and Cleworth at a pub in Chadderton, plotting to install a tracker on Mr Campbell’s car.
Investigations found information was passed on from the victim’s ex-wife and the tracker, enabling the murderers to follow the victim home, where they ambushed him at his front door, assaulted him and dragged him inside.
When the trio left the scene of the crime, they travelled together in a Vauxhall Combo van to Alexandra Street in Hyde, where they walked along Woodend Lane towards the canal removing numerous items.
They abandoned it nearby, replaced the number plates and removed a roof vent in order to disguise it before driving it away the following day. The van was never located.
Belfield fled the country two days after the murder – via North Wales, getting a ferry to Ireland, travelling to Amsterdam, France, Spain and then to Brazil before travelling to Suriname.
Less than a year later, he was arrested there for drug offences and served a year’s sentence before returning to Manchester to face legal proceedings.
After being brought back to face justice, the 31-year-old was unanimously found guilty by a jury at Manchester Crown Court after pleading not guilty to murder and conspiracy to rob Mr Campbell.
However, as he was sentenced, Mr Justice Graham, said: “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.”
Wendy Logan, District Crown Prosecutor for CPS North West, said following the verdict: “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.”
Greater Manchester Police’s Detective Sergeant Paul Davies, the senior investigating officer on this case, added after sentencing: “This was a meticulously planned, targeted attack that we believed Belfield played a leading role in influencing, orchestrating, and executing.
“The excessive violence used towards the victim made it clear to detectives investigating that Belfield was intending to kill his target, and I am pleased the jury came to the same conclusion through the extensive evidence presented in court and didn’t believe Belfield’s claims he was attempting to rob.
“Belfield cowardly went on the run the day after he committed this horrific murder, endeavouring to evade police questioning.
“When his criminal associates were on trial before being sent to prison, we uncovered messages Belfield sent them from abroad, looking to influence the proceedings and showing a complete disregard for the victim and a true lack of remorse, which is testament to his character.
“I hope he reflects on this and that today’s outcome will provide a sense of closure to Thomas’ family, who have had to sit through another lengthy trial and hear the gruesome details of their loved one’s death.
“The strength and dignity they’ve displayed throughout has been commendable, and they can now be assured everyone believed to be involved has now been brought to justice.”