The family of murdered dad Thomas Campbell say they have 'justice' after three people, including his ex-wife, received lengthy jail sentences for their roles in his brutal killing. The 38-year-old father-of-two was tortured to death in his own home after being ambushed by three men armed with weapons.
He was tied up, stabbed and beaten for two hours as his killers ransacked his home in search of valuables, cash or drugs. Mr Campbell, a convicted drug dealer said to have played an 'integral' part in an organised crime gang, was left for dead in his hallway and discovered the next morning, naked apart from a pair of socks, by a neighbour.
His loved ones said he will be 'sadly missed', and that their 'family circle will never be the same again'. In court today, Reece Steven, one of the three attackers who rushed Mr Campbell at his home in Tameside, Mossley, was handed a life sentence and ordered to serve at least 37 years after being found guilty of murder. Coleen Campbell, who was married to Mr Campbell for a decade, was sentenced to 13 years in prison after being found guilty of manslaughter. She will serve two-thirds of her sentence in jail.
READ MORE: How Thomas Campbell was betrayed by a woman who claimed to love him
She provided key intelligence about her ex-husband's whereabouts and movements to the alleged 'mastermind' of the plan to attack Mr Campbell, a 28-year-old man named John Belfield. Belfield, from Openshaw, is on the run and is wanted by police on suspicion of murder.
He and Ms Campbell were said to have formed an alliance against Mr Campbell, who at the time of his death, was in a relationship with Belfield's ex-girlfriend. The third defendant to be jailed, 38-year-old Stephen Cleworth, was sentenced to life in prison, to serve a minimum of 12 years, after being convicted of manslaughter.
He was not at the scene of the killing as he was on a 'bender' at a swingers club, but had played a key role in the build up and preparations. Ms Campbell, of Bamford Street, Clayton, Cleworth, of Charles Street, Heywood, and Steven, of Poplar Street, Middleton, were all also found guilty of conspiracy to rob.
A man in the public gallery said ‘f****** slag’ as Coleen Campbell was sentenced, before leaving the court room.
“If I hear another word from the public gallery I will clear it instantly,” the judge, Mr Justice Julian Goose, said.
The plot began on June 25, a week before the killing, when Belfield messaged Ms Campbell on Instagram. The pair went from apparent strangers to close confidants within a few days, the murder trial heard.
Cleworth placed a tracking device on Mr Campbell's car and he, Steven and Belfield made trips to Mr Campbell's home in the days before the murder to scope out his address. The attackers struck just after 11pm on Saturday, July 2 last year. After the sentencing hearing on Wednesday afternoon, a statement was released on behalf of Mr Campbell's family.
"We would like to thank the police and everyone who has been involved from start to finish in the investigation of Tom's murder," it read. "We will always be truly grateful, as we feel all verdicts against the offenders are as they should be.
"This finally brings some justice to Tom and his two children. We are also mindful that this case is far from complete, and we would ask anyone with information about John Belfield and others involved in Tom's death to please come forward and help all who love Tom get some real closure.
"Our family circle will never be the same again. Tom will be sadly missed for the rest of our lives."
'We consoled Coleen - while she knew the part she played in his death'
During an emotional sentencing hearing on Wednesday, the court heard from Thomas' father, Terry, and his brother, Daniel.
Terry described his son's killers as 'not animals but creatures'. "Animals are beautiful things, all I can call them are creatures", he said in the statement.
"Since Thomas was brutally murdered, every morning when I wake up, the first thing I think about is him alone in the house with those people," he said.
"When I’m awake, it’s there, and when I’m alone, it’s there. I know my family are feeling the exact same way."
He added: ""Thomas wasn’t perfect in the eyes of some people, he got in trouble in his life. That does not give anybody any right to take his life in any manner, not least the brutal and callous way it was."
And the court heard through Daniel how, in the days after Thomas' death, the family had consoled Coleen - despite her major involvement in his killing.
"Since Thomas was taken from us, the family have been through the most difficult and emotional time. Watching my mum rocking on the sofa, unable to cope, shedding tears I can’t hope to console.
"During the days after Thomas was killed, my mum and dad’s house was a meeting place. The house was busy with the police visiting, and well-wishers were coming to pay their respects and offering to help.
"There was one visitor who we welcomed with open arms, and it has haunted us ever since. Coleen Campbell was married to Thomas for a long time.
"When she appeared at my mum and dad’s front door after the news was passed, we thought nothing of letting her in and consoling her as much as we possibly could.
"Throughout the days that followed up until her arrest, Coleen sat in my mum and dad’s house, surrounded by Thomas’ closest family and friends, and expressed how much she was upset.
"She shared stories about their marriage and said how much she still loved him. Every single one of my family has hugged her and tried to make her feel better, All along, Coleen knew the part she played in the plot that cost Thomas his life.
"Knowing we hugged her and spent time with her during the worst time of our lives has added an extra burden, an unimaginable pain. She has shown no remorse, in our opinion.
"She concealed her involvement and watched us all hurt."
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