The girlfriend of a man who was tortured to death had sent sexually explicit videos to one of his alleged killers, a court has heard.
Thomas Campbell, 38, was ambushed and murdered in what prosecutors describe as a premeditated attack at his home, The Sun reports.
His bound and battered body was discovered by neighbours the following morning, lying in his hallway with his ankles tightly duct-taped together.
The attack is alleged to have been orchestrated by 31-year-old John Belfield, a drug dealer and the ex-boyfriend of Campbell’s partner, Demi-Lee Driver. Belfield, who denies murder, is currently on trial at Manchester Crown Court, Yahoo reports.
Campbell’s glamorous ex-wife, Coleen Campbell, was convicted of manslaughter in connection with the killing in 2023. The mother-of-four was found guilty of providing information about Thomas’s whereabouts, including details she had learned through their children. She was sentenced to 13 years in prison.
The court heard that at the time of his death, Thomas Campbell was in a relationship with Demi-Lee Driver, who had previously dated Belfield. Prosecutors said the relationship created hostility between the two men.
During testimony, Belfield claimed that Demi-Lee sent him a provocative video of herself dancing naked and requesting sex, The Mirror details. He said he responded by sending a screenshot of the video to Campbell in an effort to be "transparent" and avoid conflict.
“I didn’t want any trouble,” Belfield told the court. “It was not a good idea for me to get into conflict with Tom Campbell. Tom’s a lot bigger and stronger than me.” He denied having any romantic interest in Driver or wanting to rekindle their relationship.
Belfield, who admitted to leading a “criminal lifestyle” and dealing drugs, also denied plotting Campbell’s murder. He told the court that he only intended to steal drugs from Campbell, believing the stash was hidden outdoors.
The prosecution alleges otherwise, detailing that Campbell was lured and “pounced on” by three men in a brutal attack. Belfield, they claim, was the mastermind behind the plot.
The court also heard that Belfield had been extradited from Suriname in South America following the killing, having fled there following Campbell's death, the BBC reported at the time. He denies planting a tracking device on Campbell’s van but admitted to surveilling his house.
Gruesome details of the killing were shared in court, including how Campbell was found nearly naked, bound, and showing signs of sustained torture. Pathologists reported multiple sharp and blunt force injuries, as well as signs of neck pressure.
Belfield's associate, Reece Steven, 29, was previously convicted of Campbell's murder and sentenced to life in prison. Another man, Stephen Cleworth, 38, was convicted of manslaughter and conspiracy to rob and was jailed for 12 years. The identity of the third attacker remains unknown.
Belfield, who is of no fixed address, denies all charges. The trial is ongoing.