John Belfield is alleged to have been part of a group who tortured and murdered Thomas Campbell, with the drug dealer said to have been the ‘driving force’ behind the killing
A drug dealer sent his ex-girlfriend horrific text messages before allegedly torturing her new boyfriend to death, a court has heard.
John Belfield threatened former partner Demi-Lee Driver and called her a “money grabbing little dog” in messages heard by the court. The 31-year-old is accused of becoming “jealous” after Ms Driver began dating Thomas Campbell and allegedly masterminding the gruesome killing in July 2022.
The 38-year-old’s body was found inside his own home in Mossley, bound in extra-strength duct tape and dressed in only a pair of socks, Manchester Crown Court heard. Prosecutors claim Mr Campbell was tortured and murdered, with an autopsy revealing he suffered more than 61 injuries.
In the days before the killing, it was alleged that Belfield was provided crucial details in regards to Mr Campbell’s movements by his former wife, Coleen. She was later found guilty of manslaughter and conspiracy to rob.
On Friday the court heard about the threatening messages Belfield sent to Ms Driver. One read: “You and that helmet will get domed. Shut your mouth you dog.” A second said: “There’s not a thing you or him will do so. I think you should get my draws out your house Monday.”
Another added: “And I’m going to shag his baby mum now for the point of it, you money grabbing little dog.” Giving evidence at Manchester Crown Court, Belfield admitted being a drug dealer but claimed he had been at his sister’s home on the night of the killing, Mail Online reports.
His barrister Richard Wright KC asked him: “Did you conspire with Coleen Campbell and others to target Mr Campbell as a victim for robbery in his own home?” The defendant replied: “No.”
Mr Wright asked: “Were you motivated by jealousy or anger to attack Mr Campbell because he was in a relationship with Demi-Lee Driver?” Belfield answered: “No.”
A tracking device was placed on Mr Campbell’s VW van but Belfield told jurors he was not involved, although the defendant did admit that he took part in “recces” of Mr Campbell’s home in the days prior to the killing. Belfield also admitted to the court that he had planned to target his former girlfriend’s lover at some point, in order to steal his drugs.
Belfield was asked if he was with Reece Steven on the evening of Mr Campbell’s death, with Steven having already been convicted of murder with conspiracy to rob. “No. I was at my sister’s house with my niece and nephew,” he told the court.
The defendant admitted he helped try and disguise the van used in the attack, but did so to “help my friends”. He also conceded that he fled the country to Suriname in South America. “I was scared his friend were going to attack me and kill me because of the rumours they had heard,” he said.
Police had previously said the attack on Campbell “was meticulously thought out and used those closest to Thomas to track his every move”. Detectives added that “those involved in his murder formulated a plan for the attack that focussed on his daily routine”.
Following a 2023 trial Reece Steven was convicted of murder and conspiracy to rob, the jury has been told. Stephen Cleworth, from Heywood, who acted as a driver, was convicted of manslaughter and conspiracy to rob.
Belfield, said to be the “driving force” behind the killing, was extradited back from South America and is now standing trial for murder and conspiracy to rob. Belfield denies the charges. The trial continues.