Man jailed after explosion in Newcastle

A man who killed two people – including a seven-year-old boy – in an explosion in Newcastle has been jailed.

Shortly before 12.45am on October 16 last year, police were contacted by Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service who had responded to a fire at an address on Violet Close in the Benwell area.

Tragically, seven-year-old Archie York died at the scene.

The body of Jason Laws, 35, was recovered later the same day.

Reece Galbraith, 33, of Rectory Road, Gateshead, was arrested in December and subsequently charged with two counts of manslaughter, production of cannabis, and being concerned in the supply of cannabis.

Following the fatal explosion, Northumbria Police immediately launched a major investigation, with officers working with a range of partners.

As a result it was established a drugs lab to produce cannabis concentrates – known as ‘shatter’ or ‘butane honey oil’ – was being operated inside an address used by Galbraith and Jason Laws.

This in turn was then used to create cannabis edibles – also referred to as ‘gummies’.

The extraction process used to produce this Class B drug is highly dangerous and can cause explosions.

CCTV footage from Violet Close shows the moment the explosion occurred, with Archie and his family asleep in their home directly above at that time.

Galbraith pleaded guilty on all counts at Newcastle Crown Court last month and was remanded in custody.

Today (Wednesday), he appeared before the same court where he was sentenced to 14 years.

Leading the investigation, Detective Chief Inspector Katie Smith, of Northumbria Police, said: “This is a truly devastating case which rocked our community and claimed the lives of two people, including young Archie who had so much to look forward to.

“Our thoughts continue to be with his family, friends and all those left heartbroken by what happened.

“The community rallied together in the face of this unthinkable tragedy, and I would like to thank all who supported our complex investigation.

“This includes our partners, who assisted us in establishing what happened that night.”

Det Chief Insp Smith added: “In the face of overwhelming evidence, Reece Galbraith was left with little choice but to plead guilty to all charges he faced.

“The illegal activity he was carrying out – creating cannabis ‘shatter’ – is exceptionally dangerous to those involved and anyone else nearby.

“The tragic loss of life in this case should be more than enough to make anyone considering doing this to think again.

“We would also urge anyone who has any information about the production of drugs to come forward so we can take action – you could save someone’s life.”

Northumbria Police and Crime Commissioner, Susan Dungworth said:“First and foremost, I would like to extend my heartfelt condolences to the family and friends of Archie York. No family should ever have to endure the pain of losing a child.

“I would also like to pay tribute to the way Archie’s mum and dad have handled themselves throughout the investigation and subsequent court process – they’ve shown incredible bravery and dignity.

“From the night of the fire through to today’s sentencing, my thanks go to our police and emergency service colleagues and local authority partners – all who have worked incredibly hard on this upsetting and challenging case.

“Praise also goes to the community of Benwell and the strength shown through such a difficult time.

“The lives lost at Violet Close will forever highlight not only the extreme dangers of cannabis extraction processes, but also the devastating consequences. I hope what happened serves as a powerful deterrent to others attempting to make ‘cannabis shatter’ at home and encourages anyone with any concerns about a property to make a report. We never want this to happen again and must do all we can to prevent it.”

Gale Gilchrist, Chief Crown Prosecutor for CPS North East, said: “Today, our thoughts remain with the family of Archie York, whose tragic death last year shocked the community of Benwell.

“The explosion which claimed his life was caused by a catastrophic build-up of butane gas in the downstairs neighbouring address used by Jason Laws, who was also killed in the blast.

“Within that property, Reece Galbraith was part of an illegal operation producing a highly concentrated form of cannabis. This was an incredibly dangerous process involving the use of large quantities of highly flammable gas, which was being stored without appropriate ventilation on the premises.

“The decision of those involved to conduct this operation in a busy residential area was completely reckless, and the tragic consequences of their actions have been utterly devastating.

“The Crown Prosecution Service has worked closely with Northumbria Police to build a strong case against Galbraith, which has been instrumental in securing his sentence today.

“We only hope that, for Archie York’s family, some solace can be taken in seeing Galbraith jailed for his actions.”

 

Full victim impact statement from Archie York’s mother Katherine Errington

On the 16th of October 2024 my entire world was shattered, literally and irreversibly. I went to bed that night a proud and happy mother of two.

My 7 week old baby boy Finley was asleep beside me. My partner of 12 years, Robbie was in the living room with our beautiful seven year old son, Archie.

Everything about that night felt normal until it became the worst moment of my life. I woke up buried under rubble, dazed, bleeding and terrified.

Our flat had been blown apart. I didn’t know where my children were or if they were even alive. I’ve since learned I was likely knocked unconscious by the explosion.

When I came around all I could do was scream Robbie’s name and try to move the bricks off my whole body, I could not. I only managed to move 1 foot out of the rubble so Robbie could identify where I was.

While being buried Finley stopped crying, all I wanted to do was give up, I closed my eyes and opened them repeatedly hoping I’d wake up from what I thought was a nightmare, I thought Finley was unalive, I could hear nothing, only chaos.

I can still smell the burning, still feel the panic and desperation. Robbie and a neighbour, Anthony pulled myself and Finley out of the ruins but we couldn’t find Archie.

For hours I didn’t know where my son was. I clung to hope. I begged God to let him be okay but later in the hospital, what felt like hours, we were told the truth, Archie was gone.

The force of the explosion was so horrific that we couldn’t even lay him to rest for nearly three months. We weren’t allowed to see him, hold him or to kiss him goodbye.

We were forced to identify our son by the few remains they could confirm to be Archie, dental records, pictures, pyjamas he had on that night. It broke us in ways I didn’t know were possible.

Archie was our first born. He was cheeky, kind, full of life and dreams. He talked about growing up, having girlfriends and all the things he wanted to do.

He should be here now, playing with his brother, going to school, being a child. Instead, we visit all of his favourite places without him.

All we have is memories that we will hold onto forever. Since that night I’ve barely slept. I sleep with Archie’s pyjamas just to feel close to him.

I hear phantom cries of Finley in the quiet. I keep the TV or music on all the time because silence brings the memories rushing back.

I have flashbacks, I feel constant guilt, survivors guilt. I’ve lost who I used to be. The bubbly, outgoing woman I once was, gone.

I’m just surviving for Finley. We lost everything in the explosion, our home, our belongings and precious memories we can never get back.

Archie’s baby drawings, his first tooth, certificates, even silly little notes, gone. Our beloved dog Chase who we all adored died in the blast too.

All of it wiped out in a second. We spent months living out of bags, relying on donations, trying to protect Finley while drowning in grief and through it all our trauma was made public.

People filmed us while we screamed for help. The media followed our story. Constant police interaction. We can’t grieve in peace.

This was not an accident. This was a choice, your choice Reece Galbraith. You brought gas canisters into a building where families lived.

You ran a drug operation under the floor my children slept. You took risks for profit and didn’t care who might of been hurt. You killed my son.

You didn’t just take Archie from us. You stole our peace, our safety, our home and our future.

My partner and I often say the only reason we’re still here is because of Finley. That’s how broken we are.

We are not who we used to be. We are the parents of a child who was killed in his own home while he slept.

No sentence will ever bring our boy back. No justice can fill the hole he left but I need you all to know the depth of the devastation that Reece and Jason caused.

Archie was loved beyond words and is missed beyond measure. He was more than a name in a case. He was our sunshine, our joy, our heart and our son.

We will never forgive you and Jason for what you did to our beautiful boy Archie or to us