Teen who orchestrated and watched fatal stabbing of Gary Belfield and Luke Williams guilty of murder

Three teenagers are facing life behind bars after they were convicted of murdering a Tyneside dad and trying to kill his son.

In an attack orchestrated by a 15-year-old girl, Leandro Lopes and a 17-year-old boy attacked Gary Belfield and Luke Williams in their own home as the girl watched the sustained and "extreme violence" through the window.

Newcastle Crown Court heard the father and son were repeatedly stabbed in their home in Felling, Gateshead, and Mr Belfield died of his injuries.

Jurors found all three guilty of murder and attempted murder on Monday (9 December).

The 17-year-old was not present in court for the verdicts, but Mr Justice Constable told Lopes, now 18, of Archer Street, Wallsend, and the 15-year-old girl: "You will be facing either detention at his majesty's pleasure or life imprisonment - they effectively mean the same thing.

"There's a minimum term I must set which will be the earliest date on which you will be entitled to ask the Parole Board for release."

He adjourned sentencing until 30 January.

After the verdicts, Detective Inspector Chris Deavin, of Northumbria Police, said: “First and foremost, our thoughts remain with Gary’s family and loved ones as they continue to process their loss.

"Nothing can ever heal the wounds of Gary’s passing, but I am pleased we have been able to provide his family with answers by bringing those responsible for his death to justice.

“Sadly, this case is the latest example of how violence destroys so many lives, and there is absolutely no place for it in any of our communities. Gary is no longer with us because of the decision to carry weapons that night, and the pain of that tragedy will never leave his loved ones.

“There are never any winners when it comes to knife crime and I sincerely hope this sends a strong and sobering message across the North East.”

During the trial, Peter Moulson KC, prosecuting, said it was just after 9pm on 27 April this year that a member of the public contacted the emergency services to report a stabbing after Mr Williams staggered towards his garage shouting: "Help me, they are going to get me".

The court heard he was "covered in blood, looked freezing and was shaking and unsteady on his feet".

Jurors were told he had suffered stab wounds to his elbow, shoulder, lower back and had sharp force injuries to his hands.

Mr Williams told the man he had just run from his home nearby, in Elliott Drive, Felling, after being attacked there and said he was concerned about his dad, who was still inside.

When police arrived at the address, they found Mr Belfield lying in the living room slumped on the sofa. He was covered in blood, unresponsive, pale and not breathing, the court heard.

He had suffered multiple stab wounds to his upper and lower back, face, head, thigh, the sole of his foot and arms.

The stab wounds to his back had damaged his ribs, lung and liver, while a major artery and vein in his leg were damaged. He also had bruising to both eyes and his forehead. Despite the best efforts of the police and then paramedics, the 40-year-old died at the scene.

Mr Williams, who was 21 at the time, told police he and his dad had been for a drink that evening at a local pub before returning home to check on the welfare of their dog. On the way home, they went to a fish and chip shop and ate their food when they got back to their ground floor flat.

They then got up to leave the flat and when Mr Williams got to the doorway he saw two men in the hallway and one of them approached him and struck him in the face.

Mr Moulson said: "At that time he thought it might have been a stab."

He was then stabbed in the arm and back and suffered injuries to his hand trying to grab the knife and they fell onto the sofa.

Mr Moulson said: "As this attack was going on, he saw the second man repeatedly stabbing his father, Mr Belfield. He heard his father screaming in pain."

The prosecutor added: "Mr Williams was forced to leave his father at the premises to avoid being attacked further and to try to get help."

Mr Moulson said both attackers were wearing ski masks and that Lopes stabbed Mr Belfield while the younger male defendant attacked Mr Williams.

Mr Williams said when he left via the front door he was chased for a short distance by his attacker. He said as he ran away he noticed a female who prosecutors say was the female defendant.

Mr Moulson said: "The prosecution say her being outside that address was no accident. She had played what we contend was a major part in orchestrating this attack."

Mr Williams asked her what she was playing at and she did not reply, the jury heard.

Mr Moulson said the prosecution case was that it did not matter that she did not enter the home and that she was "part of a joint plan to cause at least serious harm to Mr Williams and Mr Belfield and that by her organisation of this attack she is, we contend, just as guilty as the two men who went into the house armed in the way they were".

The court heard the girl told someone afterwards that she had "watched it through the window and they stabbed him to bits". She also allegedly described Mr Williams as running away with his "guts hanging out and everything".

The jury was also told she made references to someone having had a previous falling out with Mr Belfield and Mr Williams and made allegations about them and allegedly suggested violence be used, including by stabbing.

Mr Moulson said the injuries suffered by the two men indicate the attack was "sustained and determined".

He added: "We say it was extreme violence in the carrying out of a plan as a result of which one man lost his life and the other was seriously injured."

Francis Fitzgibbon KC, defending the teen girl, told jurors she denied involvement and added: "We say there wasn't a plan and if there was it had nothing to do with her."

Jurors heard the two male defendants deny any intention to use violence.

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