United Kingdom: Judged for dreadful murder, he releases an unlikely alibi

Thomas Campbell was 38 years old when a neighbor found him dead in front of his home in Mossley (center of England) on July 4, 2022. The man, who only wore only a pair of socks, had been tortured to death the day before. British authorities believe that John Belfield, 31, was the brain of this sordid murder, in which three other people were involved. His trial is held this week before the Crown Court of Manchester, writes the Manchester Evening News.

According to the prosecutors, the accused and his accomplices thought that Thomas Campbell was hiding drugs and tortured him to death in order to steal him. After the murder, John Belfield fled to South America, while his three alleged accomplices were arrested. In March 2024, however, the Grand Manchester police announced the suspect’s arrest at local airport after his extradition from South America.

The accusation considers that in addition to the drug, the thirty-something had another reason to attack Thomas Campbell: he was in a relationship with his ex-partner. The alleged murderer denies any jealousy, however and assures that it was he who had ended their relationship. Questioned by his lawyer on the third day of his trial, John Belfield released an alibi drastically contrasting with the horror of the crime he is accused of. He says that at the time of the facts, he was in his sister with his daughter and his nieces.

“I settled with the girls and put a film. I think it was “the world of Nemo”. I remember it very well because it is the last time that I have really been able to spend time with my daughter, “he told court. The 30 -year -old admitted to having spoken of a plan to rob the victim, but assured that he had never intended to resort to violence to achieve his ends.

The three accomplices of the thirties have already been tried. Steven Cleworth and Reece Steven were sentenced to perpetuity for murder with complicity in order to commit a flight. Coleen Campbell, who is none other than the ex-wife of the victim, received thirteen years in prison for manslaughter with complicity in order to commit a flight. She was accused of having kept the murderers aware of the timetable and the places where her ex was before the assault.