A DRUG dealer has been jailed after causing an explosion which killed a man and a seven-year-old boy sleeping in the flat above.
Jason Laws, 35, and little Archie York died after an explosion ripped through six homes in Newcastle early on October 16 last year.
Reece Galbraith, 33, was jailed today
The deadly blast happened in the early hours of October 16
Little Archie York, seven, was killed in the explosion
Reece Galbraith, 33, pleaded guilty to two counts of manslaughter after the blast in Violet Close, Benwell, and was today jailed for 14 years.
The blast, which took place at around 00.40am, wrecked the street, rendered families homeless, and led to a major emergency services response.
A total of 140 residents had to be evacuated, with some still not able to return home.
Six other people were rushed to hospital after also being injured in the blast.
Galbraith, of Rectory Road, Gateshead, also admitted to possessing and supplying cannabis, at a hearing last month.
The dealer was processing cannabis into sweets, which ultimately led to the fatal blast.
Northumbria Police launched a major inquiry following the devastating explosion and discovered that the flat operated by Galbraith and Laws was used as a “drugs lab” to produce cannabis concentrates – known as “shatter” or “butane honey oil” in a highly dangerous process.
The product was then turned into cannabis edibles, also known as “gummies”.
Galbraith was lucky to survive the explosion, a previous court hearing was told.
After police stopped Galbraith’s car in April last year and found drugs, officers then searched his home, and moulds to make cannabis sweets were discovered.
He was released pending further investigation.
Analysis of his mobile phone showed 80 text messages relating to the sale of cannabis sweets.
Claire Armstrong, representing the prosecution during the magistrates’ court hearing, said the explosion on October 16 was caused by butane gas that was in the property to process drugs.
“Following the explosion, 100 butane canisters were found,” she said.
She said Galbraith’s fingerprints were present on items recovered from the destroyed flat, which the prosecution described as a “drug lab”.
Michael Gibson, defending at the magistrates’ court hearing, said Galbraith had been in regular work in construction until the age of 31.
Mr Gibson said: “He was lucky not to be killed in the explosion.
“He was placed in an induced coma for a week and in hospital for a month receiving treatment. That treatment is ongoing.
“He doesn’t have full use of his arms due to burns.
“He is weak and feeble.”
After Galbraith pleaded guilty, Northumbria Police warned that making cannabis “shatter” was highly dangerous and officers urged the public to contact them if they became aware of people buying multiple butane canisters, propane bottles, or unusual-looking stainless-steel equipment.
Archie was in bed asleep when the blast ripped through the home he shared with his parents, Katherine Errington and Robbie York, and his baby brother Finley.
His mother previously told the Newcastle Chronicle news site: “As a parent and as a mother you try your best to keep your children safe, and that was taken out of my hands.
“When they are in the house, that’s supposed to be the safest place.”
More heartfelt tributes flooded in for Archie following the tragedy.
In a letter left at the scene, Archie’s aunt, Abbie York, wrote: “You were the funniest little boy, always with a mischievous smile on your face.
“You were the brightest light in any room and our world is a lot darker without you.
“As your auntie you made me so proud when you would sit and do your handwriting homework and read books.
“I could talk about you forever as you truly were the most amazing boy!
“Our hearts are broken and can never be repaired.”
Christopher Atkinson, Head of the Complex Casework Unit for CPS North East, said: “Our thoughts remain with the family of Archie York, whose tragic death last year shocked the community of Benwell.
“It is clear from the evidence in this case that the explosion which took Archie’s life was caused by a build-up of butane in the address used by Jason Laws, who also died in the blast.
“That address had been the site of an illegal operation producing a highly concentrated form of cannabis, through a dangerous process involving the use of large quantities of flammable butane gas.
“The Crown Prosecution Service has worked closely with Northumbria Police to build a robust case against Reece Galbraith for his involvement in that operation, which has been instrumental in securing his guilty pleas to all charges against him.
“We hope that today’s convictions bring some measure of comfort to the family of Archie York, at what must remain an incredibly difficult time for them.”
PAThe horror blast rendered residents homeless[/caption]
Jason Laws passed away in the tragic event
Tragic Archie was asleep above the drug lab when it explodedNNP
PASome 140 residents had to be evacuated[/caption] Published: [#item_custom_pubDate]
