Gary Belfield’s son, Luke, expressed his anger as three teens were sentenced for his father’s murder, calling them ‘vile human beings’ during the court proceedings.
Three teens were convicted of murder and attempted murder. They are Leandro Lopes, 18, Kriesha Stroud, 15, and Jordan Tams, 17. Lopes and Tams will serve at least 26 years, while Stroud must serve a minimum of 20 years.
Luke moved to Gateshead to live with his dad in 2019. He shared how devastated he feels after losing his father so soon after they reunited.
In court, Luke said his life feels unreal since that night. He expressed anger for not being able to help his dad. He described their relationship as great and mourns the loss of their future together.
Luke also called the killers ‘vile human beings.’ He noted their lack of remorse, as they laughed before and after the court sessions. He hopes they live with regret for their actions.
Detective Chief Inspector Chris Deavin led the investigation. He expressed sympathy for Gary’s family and emphasized the tragedy of the case. He noted the overwhelming evidence against the offenders.
Deavin also warned against violence and weapon use, stressing the need for community efforts to prevent such tragedies. He hopes justice brings some closure to Gary’s family.
