At New Park Court Chambers, we do things a little differently. With over 70 junior barrist
As a Tier 1 Set based in Leeds and Newcastle we are home to a number of high profile and nationally and internationally reputable Counsel.
At New Park Court Chambers, we do things a little differently. With over 70 junior barrist
As a Tier 1 Set based in Leeds and Newcastle we are home to a number of high profile and nationally and internationally reputable Counsel.
News & Events
On 3 July 2025 John Belfield was convicted of murdering Thomas Campbell and conspiring to rob him. The verdicts marked the end of a four week trial in which evidence arising from a meticulous investigation by Greater Manchester Police was presented to the jury by Nick and Richard.
Thomas Campbell was murdered in appalling circumstances, with the judge accepting when sentencing the prosecution’s description that he was “tortured to death”. The motivation behind the murder was both a desire by John Belfield to steal drugs from Thomas Campbell and also his wish to take revenge on Thomas Campbell who was in a relationship with John Belfield’s ex-partner.
The evidence assembled by the police painstakingly reconstructed the last week of Thomas Campbell’s life and demonstrated that he had been targeted by a sophisticated criminal gang, led by John Belfield. Thomas Campbell’s vehicle had a tracker placed upon it and hostile reconnaissance was carried out of his home. In addition the gang also obtained information about Thomas Campbell from his ex-wife, Colleen Campbell and carried out a dress rehearsal for their attack. Following the attack John Belfield fled to Suriname, from which he was ultimately deported. The jury were presented with evidence from multiple sources including: cell-site, CCTV, GPS, mobile telephone calls and messages, tracker data, crime scene investigation, DNA and pathology.
In Spring of 2023 Nick and Richard prosecuted other members of the gang, including Colleen Campbell, securing a conviction for murder and conspiracy to rob in the case of one of those who attacked Thomas Campbell, and manslaughter and conspiracy to rob in the case of Colleen Campbell and another gang member.
Following John Belfield’s deportation from Suriname, he was arrested on suspicion for murder and tried over the course of the last four week in front of Mr Justice Garnham.
On 4 July 2025 John Belfield was sentenced to imprisonment for life with a minimum term of just over 34 and a half years.
Nick and Richard were instructed by Lucy Scully of the CPS’s Complex Case Unit in Manchester.
Reporting of the verdict and sentencing can be found here:
https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/breaking-john-belfield-guilty-murder-35438662
On 3 July 2025 John Belfield was convicted of murdering Thomas Campbell…
Discover moreNew Park Court Chambers are delighted to announce that Jason Pitter KC…
Discover more
