By Stephen Bellamy’s murderers sentenced to life in prison
Two men found guilty of the murder of 33-year-old Stephen Bellamy have today (Thursday 13 January) been sentenced to life in prison.
Stephen Beach, 40, and Luke Teague, 39, were convicted on Tuesday 21 December for the ‘brutal’ and ‘cowardly’ murder of Stephen Bellamy on Rutland Street, Grimsby.
Beach and Teague will now serve a minimum of 26 and 21 years respectively, minus the time already served.
At the seven-day trial held in Hull last month, Beach of Ashbourne Court, Scunthorpe and Teague of Runswick Road, Grimsby both pleaded not guilty to murder.
Beach pleaded guilty to the lesser charge of manslaughter, while Teague denied that charge but admitted to assisting an offender by driving Beach away from the scene and destroying the car by fire.
The jury gave a unanimous verdict after being presented by overwhelming evidence, including CCTV footage of the attack, gathered during the investigation.
The court heard how Beach entered into an argument with Stephen Bellamy on Saturday 24 April, before Beach and Teague followed him to Rutland Street.
Beach then stabbed his victim with a heavy gardening implement, causing fatal injuries as Teague watched on from the car.
Teague and Beach fled the scene, leaving Bellamy to suffer from the brutal attack before they destroyed the getaway car by setting it alight.
Bellamy was taken to the hospital for treatment but sadly passed away days later due to a fractured skull and bleeding and swelling on the brain.
Senior Investigating Officer Detective Superintendent Christine Calvert said: “No amount of time in prison for Beach and Teague will ever bring back Stephen Bellamy for his loved ones, but I hope now the case is finalised and lengthy sentences imposed, it goes some way to bringing closure for his family and friends.
“It was a brutal and cowardly crime, which both men will now have plenty of time to reflect on behind bars.
“I would like to offer my thanks to Stephen Bellamy’s family, the community and my team for all their support throughout this investigation.”
Judge Thackray QC on sentencing called the attack ‘savage’ and ‘cowardly’ and described it as like ‘a scene from a horror movie’.
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