Gateshead dad allegedly murdered in his home had 11 stab wounds and 31 injuries

A dad allegedly murdered by teenagers in his own home was stabbed 11 times and had a total of 31 injuries, a court heard.

Gary Belfield and his son, Luke Williams, were both stabbed after they were allegedly set upon by masked raiders as they were leaving their flat in Felling, Gateshead. Leandro Lopes, 18, a 17-year-old boy and a 15-year-old girl who is accused of organising the attack all deny murder.

Home Office pathologist Dr Sam Hoggard told jurors at Newcastle Crown Court Mr Belfield, 40, died as a result of the effect of being stabbed multiple times, causing heavy blood loss and impaired breathing.

He said Mr Belfield suffered 11 stab wounds, five of them to the back of his body with damage caused to ribs, his lung, liver and bowel. A stab wound to his right thigh caused damage to the femoral artery and vein.

He also had stab wounds to the back of both upper arms, the sole of his foot, his right cheek and his head, just behind his left ear. He had four further superficial incised wounds, three to the head and one to the left lower leg.

He also had two scratches to his right hand, bruising to both eyes and scattered bruises and abrasions to other areas of his body.

Dr Hoggard said Mr Belfield died as a result of multiple stab wounds. He said: "There were 11 stab wounds, five to the back of the body, three of which entered the chest and damaged the lung.

"Another stab wound passed through the liver. A fifth stab wound entered the abdominal cavity and caused cuts to the large bowel."

Asked for his conclusions, Dr Hoggard said: "In summary, Mr Bellfield died as a result of multiple stab wounds which have damaged his right lung, liver and femoral artery and vein, causing impaired breathing and heavy blood loss, ultimately leading to death."

The pathologist said Mr Williams, 22, sustained four stab wounds, one of which, to his lower back, caused an underlying fracture. He also had a "sharp force injury" to his cheek and several "defensive" injuries to his hands.

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Prosecutors claim the 15-year-old girl who is on trial played a major part in 'orchestrating' an attack in which two then 17-year-old boys allegedly knifed Mr Belfield and Mr Williams in a "sustained and determined" attack involved "extreme violence", because of a previous falling out with someone she knew.

Newcastle Crown Court heard the father and son were repeatedly knifed in their home in Felling, Gateshead and Mr Belfield died of his injuries.

It was just after 9pm on April 27 this year that a member of the public contacted the emergency services reporting a stabbing after Mr Williams staggered towards his garage shouting "Help me, they are going to get me". The court heard he was "covered in blood, looked freezing and was shaking and unsteady on his feet".

Jurors were told he had suffered stab wounds to his elbow, shoulder, lower back and had sharp force injuries to his hands. Mr Williams told the man he had just ran from his home, nearby on Elliott Drive, Felling, after being attacked there and said he was concerned about his dad, who was still inside.

When police went there, they found Mr Belfield lying in the living room slumped on the sofa. He was covered in blood, unresponsive, pale and not breathing, the court heard. He had suffered multiple stab wounds to his upper and lower back, face, head, thigh, the sole of his foot and arms.

The stab wounds to his back had damaged his ribs, lung and liver while a major artery and vein in his leg were damaged. He also had bruising to both eyes and his forehead. Despite the best efforts of the police and then paramedics, he died at the scene.

The 15-year-old and 17-year-old and Lopes, of Archer Street, Wallsend, deny murder and attempted murder. The trial continues.

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