In a high-profile trial, John Belfield, a British man accused of orchestrating the murder of 38-year-old Thomas Campbell in 2022, has claimed an alibi that contradicts the allegations against him.
Belfield, who fled to South America before being arrested and deported back to England, is facing serious charges related to the death of Campbell, including murder, conspiracy to murder, and conspiracy to rob. The case has drawn significant attention due to the gruesome nature of the crime and Belfield’s defense.
Details of the Alleged Murder
Thomas Campbell was killed on July 3, 2022, in what prosecutors have described as a brutal ambush. The victim was allegedly tortured and murdered by Belfield and three others—Reece Steven, Steven Cleworth, and Campbell’s ex-wife Coleen Campbell.
The plot was believed to be driven by the desire to steal drugs that Campbell was suspected of hiding. His body was found the next morning by a neighbor.
Investigators have claimed that Belfield was the mastermind behind the crime and orchestrated the attack. He is accused of leading the group that ambushed Campbell at his apartment, where the victim was severely assaulted and ultimately killed.
According to Detective Inspector Mark Davis from Greater Manchester Police, Campbell suffered significant injuries over an extended period before his death.
Belfield, who was initially on the run after the murder, was arrested in March 2024 after being deported from South America. Prior to his capture, his co-conspirators had already been arrested and sentenced.
Reece Steven and Steven Cleworth were sentenced to life imprisonment, while Coleen Campbell received a 13-year sentence for her role in the murder.
Belfield’s Defense
During his trial, Belfield has denied the charges of murder and conspiracy, claiming he was not involved in the attack. In an attempt to establish his innocence, he presented an alibi, stating that he was at home watching Finding Nemo with his daughter and nieces at the time of the murder.
Belfield’s defense is that his presence with family members at the time of the attack proves he couldn’t have been responsible for the crime. However, prosecutors have disputed this alibi, arguing that the timeline and evidence suggest Belfield’s involvement in the plot.
Belfield admitted to discussing a plan to rob Campbell, but he insists that he never intended for the situation to escalate to violence. He has maintained that his involvement was limited to the planning stages and that he never wanted to harm Campbell.
This claim is in direct contradiction to the evidence presented by the prosecution, which suggests that Belfield played a central role in the violent murder.
The Investigation and Arrest
The investigation into Thomas Campbell’s murder was extensive, with police tracing Belfield’s whereabouts after the murder. Although his co-conspirators were arrested shortly after the crime, Belfield fled the country, and authorities spent months tracking him down.
He was eventually located in South America, where he was arrested and deported back to England. His return to the UK led to his formal arrest at Manchester Airport, where he was charged with a range of serious crimes, including murder, conspiracy to murder, manslaughter, conspiracy to rob, and conspiracy to supply Class A drugs.
The charges against Belfield stem from his alleged role in plotting the murder and his involvement in the robbery attempt. The prosecution has argued that the motive for the killing was to steal drugs that Campbell was believed to have been hiding, though no concrete evidence has been presented that confirms the presence of these drugs.
John Belfield’s trial continues to unfold, with his defense denying any violent involvement in the death of Thomas Campbell. Despite his alibi, the evidence presented by the prosecution paints a picture of Belfield as the mastermind behind the murder, leading a group that ambushed and tortured Campbell in a failed attempt to steal drugs.
As the trial progresses, the details of Belfield’s role in the crime will become clearer, and the court will determine whether he is guilty of the charges brought against him.
