Screaming dad found dead in just socks after ex-wife’s ‘barbaric’ hallway torture plot
A mum has been found guilty of killing her ex-husband after was tortured and killed in an “extraordinary act of barbarism”.
Coleen Campbell was married to Thomas Campbell, 38, for 10 years before she planned to rob him of money or drugs in his own home.
Mr Campbell, a cocaine dealer who played an “integral” part in a crime organisation, had been unlocking his front door on July 2 when three men ambushed him.
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Screams could be heard as he was dragged into his home where he was attacked for two hours before eventually being left for dead in his own hallway.
(Image: MEN Media)
Mr Campbell was stabbed, punched, stamped on and boiling water was poured over the skin of his buttocks, leaving him with a total of 61 injuries.
His body was discovered the next morning by neighbours in Mossley, Tameside, Greater Manchester.
Mum-of-four Ms Campbell, the victim’s ex-wife, was found not guilty of murder but guilty of manslaughter following a five-week trial after she shared vital information about her former spouse’s whereabouts with his killers.
One of the three attackers, Reece Steven, 29, was convicted of murder for his part in the incident. He has a previous armed robbery conviction.
(Image: Steve Allen)
Stephen Cleworth, 38, who had been planning to take part in the plot but didn’t show up because he was on a “bender” at a swinger’s club, was found not guilty of murder but guilty of manslaughter after he played a key role in the lead-up to the “carefully planned, practised, ruthless, armed assault”.
Ms Campbell, Steven and Cleworth were all found guilty of conspiring to rob Mr Campbell.
Ms Campbell and Cleworth could face decades in prison while Steven faces a life sentence. The trio will be sentenced by Mr Justice Julian Goose on Wednesday (February 22).
(Image: MEN Media)
Karl Murphy, 50, was found not guilty of participating in the activities of an organised crime group after he drove the killers to Mr Campbell’s house.
Prosecutors described the attack as an “extraordinary act of barbarism”.
The plan to attack and kill Mr Campbell had been carefully planned and the victim was tracked for the week leading up to his death.
The alleged mastermind, who was not on trial as he’s believed to have fled the country, reportedly got in touch with Ms Campbell for the first time via Instagram on June 25, the court heard.
The pair shared a total of 35 phone calls and 68 messages, and also met up in person.
It is understood he had read about the Campbell’s lavish lifestyle, the court heard.
Days after finding her on Instagram, the alleged mastermind plotted to rob the victim of cash, drugs or valuables with Ms Campbell, who provided information about her ex’s van registration plate, his house number and his movements.
The alleged mastermind recruited Cleworth who then brought Steven into the criminal plot conspiracy.
In the days leading up to the attack, a tracker was placed on Mr Campbell’s van and the trio conducted reconnaissance trips to the home, planning their attack.
At 11.06pm on July 2, the three men burst out of a Vauxhall Combo van parked on the drive of an unoccupied house near Mr Campbell’s property.
Mr Campbell screamed as he was attacked before being dragged inside.
His home was ransacked and his blood was left covering the walls.
Two hours after ambushing the man, Mr Campbell’s killers left him to die in his hallway.
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