The Government's chief legal adviser has been asked to review the sentences of three people jailed following the murder of Thomas Campbell, to consider whether they are 'unduly lenient'. Mr Campbell was tortured to death in his own home after being ambushed by three men armed with weapons.
He was stabbed, strangled and beaten up, and had boiling water poured on his genitals during a two hour ordeal before being left for dead in his hallway. His attackers plotted to rob cash, drugs or valuables from his home.
Three people were locked up at Bolton Crown Court last month after a five week murder trial. Reece Steven, 29, one of the three attackers who pounced on Mr Campbell at his home in Mossley, Tameside, was convicted of murder. He was handed a life sentence, and ordered to serve at least 37 years.
READ MORE: How Thomas Campbell was betrayed by a woman who claimed to love him
Steven, of Poplar Street, Middleton, will be in his 60s before he can be considered for parole. Stephen Cleworth, 38, was convicted of manslaughter. He was not at the scene of the killing, but played a key part in detailed preparations carried out ahead of the attack.
Cleworth, of Charles Street, Heywood, also received a life sentence, and was ordered to serve at least 12 years. Mr Campbell's ex-wife Coleen Campbell was also found guilty of manslaughter. She provided the alleged mastermind of the killing with intelligence about her former husband's movements.
Campbell, 38, of Bamford Street, Clayton, was sentenced to 13 years in prison, and must serve two-thirds of her sentence before being released. The trio were also found guilty of conspiring to rob Mr Campbell.
Under the 'unduly lenient' scheme, victims of crime, members of the public, and the Crown Prosecution Service can apply to the Attorney General, the Government's chief legal adviser, if they believe the sentences imposed by a judge are too low. It is not clear who made the submission to the Attorney General's office in this case.
The case is currently is under consideration and no decision has been made. The Attorney General's office has 28 days from the day sentence was passed to review the case.
If the referral is deemed to have merit, the case can then be sent to the Court of Appeal where judges may decide to impose a harsher sentence. The Attorney General is Conservative MP Victoria Prentis KC.
A spokesperson for the Attorney General’s Office told the Manchester Evening News: "We have received a request for this sentence to be considered under the Unduly Lenient Sentence (ULS) scheme. The Law Officers have 28 days from sentencing to consider the case and make a decision."
The alleged mastermind of the attack on Mr Campbell, John Belfield, 28, is on the run and is wanted on suspicion of murder. Detectives believe he may be in Spain or Tenerife.
Mr Campbell was in a relationship with Belfield's ex-girlfriend at the time of his death. Belfield, an alleged drug dealer, wanted to get revenge and rob Mr Campbell of cash, drugs or valuables, according to the prosecution. The identity of the third attacker who struck at Mr Campbell's home is unknown.
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