A man has been jailed for 14 years after a cannabis factory he ran exploded, killing a seven-year-old boy and destroying multiple homes in Newcastle.
Reece Galbraith, 33, from Gateshead, admitted manslaughter after the illegal drug operation he set up with Jason Laws, 35, caused a devastating blast in a block of flats on Violet Close, Benwell, in the early hours of 16 October 2024. Laws also died in the explosion.
The blast claimed the life of Archie York, who had been asleep in the living room of his upstairs flat.
His mother, Katherine Errington, and baby brother Finlay were buried under rubble and had to be rescued by his father, Robbie York.
According to BBC, Newcastle Crown Court heard the explosion was caused by a build-up of butane gas during the manufacture of cannabis “shatter” – a potent, THC-rich substance used to make drug-laced sweets.
Galbraith and Laws had been operating the makeshift lab from a ground-floor flat.
Archie’s family described their devastation during an emotional court hearing. Ms Errington confronted Galbraith, telling him, “You killed my son,” and accusing him of taking “risks for profit.”
Mr York said he felt “nothing but anger” and had “no sympathy” for the men responsible.
The explosion demolished six homes, with the rest of the 12-flat block later condemned.
A total of 81 adults and 59 children were displaced, and Newcastle City Council estimates the cost of damage at £3.7 million.
Police recovered dozens of canisters of liquid butane and specialist equipment from the wreckage.
Galbraith’s fingerprints were found on both the canisters and packages of cannabis sweets.
Investigators said he had been selling the products for at least 11 months and was already under police investigation at the time of the explosion.
In sentencing, Mr Justice Cotter said Archie was a “healthy, happy and much-loved boy” whose death had left his parents with a “life sentence of grief.”
He added that the operation was sophisticated and clearly dangerous, with ample warnings about the use of butane.
Galbraith, who also admitted producing and selling cannabis, was left with severe burns and spent a month in a coma.
His lawyer said he did not intend to harm anyone and was “genuinely sorry.”
But for Archie’s family, no apology could undo the loss. “We will never forgive you,” Ms Errington said. “This was your choice.”
