'Mastermind' of drug dealer's 'barbaric' murder which was arranged with the help of his ex-wife is facing extradition to the UK after being arrested in South America

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The alleged 'mastermind' of the 'barbaric' murder of a drug dealer which was arranged with the help of his ex-wife faces extradition back to Britain after he was seized in South America.

John Belfield, 28, was held in the former Dutch colony of Suriname on suspicion of drug related offences, police confirmed today.

They now hope to put him on trial for the killing of Thomas Campbell, who was robbed and 'tortured to death' in his own home last July after an acrimonious split with his wife Coleen.

Appealing for information about his whereabouts earlier this year, detectives said Belfield was 'thought to be a dangerous individual who must not be approached'.

Campbell, 36, who led a lavish lifestyle through drug dealing and laundering dirty money, suffered 61 separate injuries during an ambush at his £350,000 townhouse in Mossley, Greater Manchester.

John Belfield, 28, (pictured) is suspected of being the 'mastermind' behind the death of Thomas Campbell in July 2022

Coleen Campbell with Thomas Campbell outside court in 2019. She was sentenced to 13 years in prison for her part in his murder

He was stabbed, punched and stamped on before boiling water was poured on his buttocks. Neighbours found his body in the hallway naked except for his socks.

The year before he and his wife Coleen had split when he started an affair with another woman, her trial heard.

She later got caught up in a sinister plot after Belfield – who was the unnamed mistress's ex-boyfriend – also learnt of the romance and decided to rob Thomas of cash, drugs and valuables in a revenge raid on his home, it was alleged.

She shared key information about Thomas, including details of his van's registration plate, his house number and his movements.

A tracking device was even placed on the vehicle whilst he was picking his daughter up from school.

Coleen was convicted of his manslaughter in February after unwittingly implicated herself by attending a séance after her ex-husband's death.

The former Matalan store assistant visited a clairvoyant four days after her former husband of ten years was tortured to death.

The 38-year-old later told his suspicious mother how Thomas had been 'summoned' by the clairvoyant.

He had given intimate details about both the killing and his injuries as she listened in.

Coleen was convicted of his manslaughter in February after unwittingly implicated herself by attending a séance after her ex-husband's death (pictured together on holiday) 

The gangster was stabbed, punched and stamped on before boiling water was poured on his buttocks. Neighbours found his body in the hallway naked except for his socks

In a text message sent after the break-up, Coleen had written: 'Karma is best served cold - and then tables turn real fast'

Because little information had at that stage been made public by police about the fatal assault, she immediately fell under suspicion.

Inquiries revealed the mother-of-four had been tipping off the killers about his movements in the run-up to the killing.

In a text message sent after the break-up, she had written: 'Karma is best served cold - and then tables turn real fast.

'I be the coldest MF you ever met.'

Despite Coleen and Belfield (pictured) previously being strangers, they subsequently shared 35 phone calls and 68 messages

Her trial heard Belfield texted his ex, threatening: 'You and that helmet will get domed. You will never have a boyfriend. You will have to move country.

'Give it a week and you will see why and what happens when you take the pi**.

'Why would I respect you getting sha**** off Tom Campbell.'

Belfield - named in court and alleged to have been the 'mastermind' of the robbery - met up with Coleen after messaging her on Instagram.

Despite the pair previously being strangers, they subsequently shared 35 phone calls and 68 messages.

On July 2, 2022, Campbell was ambushed and attacked by two or three men as he unlocked his front door. After being subdued he was dragged around his home and viciously attacked for two hours.

Coleen denied wrongdoing but was jailed for 13 years following a trial at Bolton Crown Court.

Reece Steven, 29, was convicted of murder and was jailed for life with a minimum of 37 years whilst Stephen Cleworth, 38, was found guilty of manslaughter and jailed for 12 years.

Karl Murphy, 50, was found not guilty of participating in the activities of an organised crime group.

Belfield - who has been said to be 'heavily concerned in the large scale supply of class A drugs' – was initially thought to be on the run in Spain.

However it emerged today that he was arrested last Thursday by Suriname authorities on suspicion of drug related offences.

Stephen Cleworth, 38, was found guilty of manslaughter and jailed for 12 years for his part in the plot 

Reece Steven (pictured), 29, was convicted of murder and was jailed for life with a minimum of 37 years

He is likely to remain in South America while British detectives work with international partners to bring him back to face questioning, Greater Manchester Police said today.

Detective Chief Inspector Liz Hopkinson from GMP's Major Incident team said: 'The news of Belfield's arrest is an important development in our investigation, we will be working with international law enforcement agencies to bring Belfield back to Manchester and continue in our pursuit to find answers for Thomas' family.

'Through vigilance shown by our colleagues in South America, Belfield was recognised by Suriname's law enforcement upon his arrest and information regarding his whereabouts was shared with our Force Critical Wanted Unit.

'We have previously released numerous appeals to ask for help in finding him and we thank the public for their continued support in this case.

'This is an excellent result which shows once again, that UK law enforcement does not give up on finding those abroad who are wanted for offences in the UK.'

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