The dad of a man who was brutally murdered at his home in Tameside has described his killers as 'creatures' ahead of their sentencing today.
Thomas Campbell was ambushed by three men at the front door of his home in Mossley before being dragged inside and brutally murdered. He was tortured to death during a two-hour ordeal.
The 38-year-old's ex wife, Coleen Campbell, Stephen Cleworth, 38, and Reece Steven, 29, have all been sentenced at Bolton Crown Court this afternoon for their part in his killing. Coleen Campbell, who was married to Thomas for a decade, provided key intelligence to the alleged mastermind of the attack, John Belfield.
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The fugitive, 28, is wanted by police after going on the run. This afternoon, statements and tributes from members of Thomas' family were read out in court in front of judge Mr Justice Julian Goose before he sentenced Campbell to 13 years in jail. Read the full story from today's sentencing hearing here.
Prosecutor Richard Holland read out a victim impact statement from Terry Campbell, Thomas' father, who described his son's killers as 'not animals but creatures'. Thomas' brother Daniel also told the court how his family consoled Coleen in the days after his brother's death, despite her playing a part in the plot to kill him - and even said how she has been telling her children that she 'would be coming home soon'.
'The first thing I think of every day is him alone with his killers'
In full, Terry Campbell's statement said: "Thomas was the most sincere and beautiful boy, he had friends both young and old which was representative of the person he was.
"Over 500 people gathered in his memory to release balloons for him after his passing, something which I wish he could have seen. 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.
"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. I can’t call the people that did it animals, because animals are beautiful things.
"All I can call them are creatures, and those creatures I believe have given our family a kind of cancer. I know that I will die before my time because the cancer is eating me alive.
"The saddest thing is that, just like cancer, when we think we can get through the day, it spreads to Thomas’ children, my grandchildren’s lives. When they are old enough to understand, they will carry it with them, always.
"I don’t believe there is a sentence in the land that could bring peace to my family, so I hope and pray that my baby boy receives the justice he and our family deserve. It won’t bring him back, but it may ease our minds.
"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.
"My eldest son Daniel has taken on the role of father to Thomas’ children, and as they grow from the beautiful children they are, they will be loved and cherished enough to flourish with high family morals, just like their father."
Mr Campbell said that son Thomas, who was one of five siblings, was a 'cheeky chap' as a youngster who was known for having a 'good heart'. "He was a polite young man who was also popular," he said of his son’s school years.
He described how Thomas met Coleen after a spell in prison and took on her two children as his own. "He was an amazing father right from the start," he said.
'We consoled Coleen in the days after - she knew all along what she'd done'
Thomas' brother Daniel also provided a statement to the court He said: "Throughout our lives, me and my siblings have had the closest bond imaginable.
"We grew up living together, and even when we eventually flew the nest, nothing changed between us. He was best man at my wedding, and the best man to his family.
"We are always there for each other, an opportunity that has been taken away from me and my family. 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.
"In the middle of all the hurt and grief, are the two most important people. Thomas and Coleen’s two children. They will be affected by this for the rest of their lives."
'She has been telling her kids she'll be coming home soon'
Daniel Campbell continued: "Since the day of Coleen’s arrest, me and my wife Lindsay have willingly stepped up and taken the children into our home, where we continue to support and love them."
He added: "Coleen has not made this easy, often speaking with the children, and feeding them information which in our opinion confuses them. Coleen has regularly been telling the children during the contact that she’s coming home soon, and that she is going to take them away to live in a house where they will all live together again.
"This is hard to manage, the children are young and impressionable. We have pictures of Thomas and Coleen up in our home to help the children with their grieving.
"The children still have regular contact with Coleen. Though these things are hard to deal with, we accept them for the sake of their children, and for them to have the best chance possible to heal.
"Despite what has happened, the children remain beautiful and loving and we will work hard to make sure they never forget their dad and how much they are loved. The children are his future now, and he will live on in them.
"I can’t put into words the pain I feel, and I know all my family feel it too. I can’t think of any positives right now, but the verdicts have been the first stepping stone towards us healing.
"Our lives will never be the same again, and the stress of the trial and having to listen just how much Thomas suffered will never leave us. Our friends and family have been amazing and supportive. We will always stick together, but the pain will never go away."
After a trial, Coleen Campbell, of Bamford Street, Clayton, was found guilty of manslaughter.
Cleworth, of Charles Street, Heywood, was also convicted of manslaughter and sentenced to life with a minimum of 12 years, while Steven, of Poplar Street, Middleton was found guilty of murder and sentenced to life with a minimum of 37 years.
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