A drug dealer has admitted killing a seven-year-old boy and a man in his 30s after a cannabis production explosion tore through six flats in Newcastle.
Reece Galbraith, 33, pleaded guilty to two counts of manslaughter at Newcastle Crown Court earlier today.
The charges relate to the deaths of schoolboy Archie York and 35-year-old Jason "Jay" Laws following the blast in Violet Close, Benwell, last October.
Galbraith also admitted producing and supplying cannabis between November 2023 and October 2024.
Archie York died in the explosion caused by Reece Galbraith
PA
The blast occurred in the early hours of October 16, wrecking the street and leading to a major emergency services response. Families were rendered homeless by the explosion.
Archie was in bed asleep when the blast ripped through the home he shared with parents Katherine and Robbie and his baby brother Finley.
Galbraith was badly injured in the incident and was lucky to survive, according to his solicitor. He was placed in an induced coma for a week and spent a month in hospital.
LATEST DEVELOPMENTS
Archie York, seven, was killed in the explosion
Family handoutProsecutors revealed the explosion was caused by some of the 100 butane gas used to process drugs at the property.
Galbraith's fingerprints were found on items recovered from the destroyed flat, which prosecutors described as a "drug lab".
The court heard that police had previously stopped Galbraith's car in April last year and found drugs. A subsequent search of his home uncovered moulds used to make cannabis sweets.
Analysis of his mobile phone revealed 80 text messages relating to the sale of cannabis sweets.
Emergency services at the scene at Violet Close in Benwell, Newcastle-Upon-Tyne
PA
Archie's mother Katherine told the Newcastle Chronicle earlier this week: "As a parent and as a mother you try your best to keep your children safe, and that was took out of my hands."
"When they are in the house, that's supposed to be the safest place."
Galbraith suffered severe injuries in the explosion that killed Archie and Laws. His defence lawyer said: "He doesn't have full use of his arms due to burns. He is weak and feeble."
Before the incident, Galbraith had been in regular employment in construction until the age of 31. Judge Paul Sloan KC remanded Galbraith in custody after his guilty pleas.
The judge told the defendant: "As you will be aware you face a significant, immediate custodial sentence."
Reece Galbraith changed his plea to guilty for the manslaughter of seven-year-old Archie York and Jason "Jay" Laws
PA
Galbraith had previously denied the manslaughter charges and was due to go on trial next month. He appeared at Newcastle Crown Court via prison videolink to change his pleas to guilty. His sentencing has been scheduled for May 14.
Head of the Complex Casework Unit for CPS North East Christopher Atkinson 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."
Images show the extent of the devastation after the firePADetective Chief Inspector Katie Smith, of Northumbria Police, said: "This is a truly tragic case in which two people died, including young Archie who had his whole life ahead of him.
"Our thoughts remain with his family, friends and all those who have been left heartbroken by what has happened.
"At a time of unimaginable tragedy, the community has come together to support each other and provide the information we needed for such a complex investigation.
"The tireless work of all involved left Reece Galbraith with little choice but to plead guilty to all charges in the face of overwhelming evidence."
