Detective Praises Injured Man Who Helped Convict His Dad’s Killers
Luke Williams bravely assisted detectives after witnessing his father’s murder, leading to the conviction of three teenagers.
Gateshead, Newcastle, UK, Gary Belfield, Luke Williams, Murder, Teenagers
Gateshead: Luke Williams saw his dad, Gary Belfield, get stabbed. Despite being injured, he helped detectives catch the killers. It was a brutal attack by three teenagers at their home.
Leandro Lopes, Kriesha Stroud, and Jordan Tams were sentenced to at least 72 years in prison. They were found guilty of murder and attempted murder at Newcastle Crown Court.
The attack was planned by Stroud, who watched from outside. Luke, 22, managed to escape and ran to a neighbor for help. He was covered in blood and in shock.
Detective Chief Inspector Chris Deavin praised Luke’s bravery. He said Luke’s information was crucial for the investigation, despite his trauma.
Police arrived at Elliott Drive after Luke sought help. They found Gary, 40, unresponsive on the sofa, having suffered multiple stab wounds. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
Luke told police he had seen a girl outside before the attack. This led to identifying the suspects and understanding the dispute that triggered the violence.
Luke and his dad moved to Gateshead from Manchester in 2019. Luke had just started living with Gary when the tragedy struck.
Detective Deavin also had to inform Gary’s family in Manchester about his death. They attended the trial, enduring painful details of the attack.
All three teenagers received life sentences. Lopes and Tams must serve at least 26 years, while Stroud will spend a minimum of 20 years in prison.
Detective Deavin noted the lack of remorse shown by the defendants, which is upsetting for Luke and Gary’s family.