'Like a ripple in a pond': What convicted killer Coleen Campbell's barrister said in court on her behalf

The wife of a man who plotted against him before he was tortured to death did not intend for him to be seriously harmed, her barrister has claimed. Thomas Campbell's killers are in Bolton Crown Court today (February 22) to learn their fate after being convicted earlier this week.

Coleen Campbell, 38, had been married to Mr Campbell for a decade. She was found guilty of manslaughter after plotting to have him robbed of cash or drugs in his own home in Mossley, Tameside.

A trial heard how Ms Campbell provided key intelligence on Mr Campbell's whereabouts to the mastermind of the attack, 28-year-old John Belfield, who is wanted by police after going on the run. He recruited armed robber Reece Steven, 29, and convicted knifeman Stephen Cleworth, 38, as part of the plan.

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Coleen Campbell, of Bamford Street, Clayton, was not found guilty of murder, but guilty of manslaughter following a five-week trial. In her sentencing today, Ms Campbell’s barrister Rick Holland argued that in light of the jury’s verdict, she did not intend for really serious harm to be inflicted on her ex-husband on July 2 last year.

He added that his client did not appreciate the ‘intensity’ of the violence or the ‘prolonged’ nature that would be suffered by her former spouse. Speaking of her involvement, Mr Holland said: “She cannot extinguish the legacy of the effects of this almost, almost like a ripple in a pond, that will affect so many and so many generations.”

Steven, of Poplar Street, Middleton, was one of three men who ambushed Mr Campbell. Prosecutors say Belfield and an unknown man were the other two involved.

Steven was found guilty of murder.