3 teenagers jailed for life for murdering Gateshead man and attacking his son
The court has lifted reporting restrictions on the 2 younger teenagers, meaning we are able to name them
Last updated 30th Jan 2025
Three teenagers have been given life sentences for the murder of Gateshead man Gary Belfield, and the attempted murder of his son, at Gary's home in Felling.
Shortly after 9.10pm on April 27 last year, emergency services responded to a report of concern for the welfare of a 40-year-old man at a property on Elliott Drive in the Felling area.
Gary Belfield, from the Manchester area, was found to have sustained injuries consistent with having been stabbed and sadly died at the scene.
Following Gary’s death, his family described their devastation at the loss of the father-of-six who they described as a ‘caring, friendly person who was popular in his hometown’.
A second man, aged in his 20s, was also seriously injured in the incident. He has since made a full recovery.
The Force’s Major Investigation Team swiftly launched an investigation, and three teenagers were soon arrested on suspicion of Gary’s murder.
Early enquiries found that Leandro Lopes, now 18, along with Jordan Tams, 17, and Kriesha Stroud, 15, who can both now be named after reporting restrictions were lifted, travelled to the address to settle a pre-existing dispute.
Gary sustained 11 separate injuries in the fatal attack after Lopes and Tams entered the property and stabbed both men multiple times.
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.
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.
Leading the investigation, 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.”
Det Ch Insp Deavin added: “Violence has absolutely no place in our communities, and as a Force we are committed to working with our partners to tackle such offending.
“The lives of everyone involved that evening have been forever changed by the decisions taken to carry weapons.
“However, each and every one of us has a role to play to help prevent further tragedies from ever happening – we must come together to help prevent violence and knife crime.”
Following today’s sentencing, Gary’s son Luke Williams has released the following statement.
He said: “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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