Three teenagers have been sentenced to a minimum of 72 years for the brutal knife killing of Gary Belfield in his Gateshead home. The attack, described by the judge as 'dreadful', involved Kriesha Stroud, who was just 15 at the time, enlisting the help of her boyfriend Jordan Tams, 17, and Leandro Lopes, now 18, to assault Gary and his son, Luke Williams.

Gary Belfield, 40, died at the scene of the attack on April 27 this year. The judge sentenced Tams and Lopes to serve at least 26 years each, while Stroud will serve a minimum of 20 years. The trio has been detained at His Majesty's pleasure, essentially a life sentence for those under 18.

The brutal nature of the attack shocked the court, with Mr Justice Constable emphasizing the 'senselessness' of the crime, especially as it was perpetrated by teenagers. In a chilling twist, Stroud was later recorded expressing her 'gladness' over Mr. Belfield's death and disappointment that his son survived.

In a victim impact statement, Luke Williams described the attack as senseless and expressed his anger towards the offenders. "To me these three people are vile human beings," he stated, noting their lack of remorse as they appeared to laugh and joke before and after court sessions.

Prosecutor Michael Bunch presented evidence that Stroud played a significant role in orchestrating the attack. She was recorded stating her satisfaction over Gary Belfield's death and concern over Luke's survival.

The fatal incident took place shortly after 9pm when Luke Williams staggered towards a neighbor, crying for help after being stabbed multiple times inside their home. He expressed concern for his father's safety while suffering injuries himself.

When police arrived, they discovered Gary Belfield unresponsive on the living room sofa, covered in blood and with multiple stab wounds. Despite efforts from emergency services, he was pronounced dead at the scene.

Testimonies revealed the brutality of the attack, with Lopes using a screwdriver to stab Gary in the thigh and Tams delivering multiple knife wounds. Days before the attack, Tams had made a disturbing comment about wanting to kill someone.

Stroud had no prior convictions, while Lopes faced sentencing for multiple offenses, including robbery and assault. Tams had previous charges for possessing a bladed article.

Defence attorneys attempted to portray Stroud as a victim of her circumstances, citing her troubled childhood and mental health issues, including PTSD. They argued that her role differed significantly from that of Tams and Lopes, claiming she did not intend for such violence.

Defence counsel emphasized the potential for rehabilitation for the three youths, citing their troubled upbringings and exposure to violence. The court's decision reflected the gravity of their actions and its devastating impact on the victims' family.