Three teenagers jailed for life for murdering Manchester man
Gary Belfield was killed in Gateshead in April 2024
Last updated 30th Jan 2025
Three teenagers have been given life sentences for the murder of a man from Manchester.
Gary Belfield, who had moved to Gateshead, was found dead at his home in the Felling area in April 2024.
The teenagers were also convicted of the attempted murder of Gary's son.
The jury heard the father and son were repeatedly knifed in their home in Felling and Mr Belfield died of his injuries.
Gary sustained 11 separate injuries in the fatal attack.
The second victim managed to raise the alarm at a nearby garage after escaping from his attackers, and all three offenders were later arrested and each charged with murder and attempted murder.
Newcastle Crown Court has lifted reporting restrictions on the two younger teenagers, meaning we can name them.
Prosecutors told the court the attack was orchestrated by 15 year old Kriesha Stroud, from Walker, while 18 year old Leandro Lopes from Wallsend, and 17 year old Jordan Tams from Felling carried it out.
Jurors found all three guilty of murder and attempted murder after a trial last year.
The three were given life sentences, with Lopes and Tams given minimum terms of 26 years each, and Stroud given a minimum term of 20 years.
Detective Chief Inspector Chris Deavin, of Northumbria Police, said:
“This has been an incredibly tragic case and my thoughts remain with Gary’s family and loved ones during what has been a devastating time for them.
“They have been forced to endure and relive Gary’s final moments in a courtroom by his killers who have shown absolutely no remorse for this shocking and vile act.
“Thankfully, the weight of evidence against each offender was so overwhelming that the jury has found them guilty on all counts.
“No sentence will ever erase the heartbreak of Gary’s death, but I hope the knowledge of knowing his killers have been brought to justice will bring a degree of closure.”
"Grief stricken"
Gary’s son Luke Williams has released the following statement:
“I am grief stricken in the fact that my Dad and I had found our way of being and enjoying a great relationship which has been taken away.
“I grieve for the loss of opportunity to enjoy a long happy father and son relationship.
“It was all I ever wanted.
“However I am only one of six children and I know that my siblings will all have the same feeling of loss.
“To me the three people convicted are vile human beings.
“Seeing them laughing and joking pre and post court sessions tells me they suffer no remorse.
“I genuinely hope they get to live a long life of regret.
“A lot has been made during the trial of the defendants being ‘children’.
“Those ‘children’ stole my best friend and changed our lives as a family forever.”
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