Archie York, 7(Image: Copyright remains with handout provider)

Explosion that killed boy and wrecked street caused by criminals with gas canisters

by · DevonLive

A boy was killed in a house explosion caused by criminals, it can finally be revealed. They were making cannabis sweets in a neighbouring flat with 100 gas canisters before the explosion killed Archie York, who was just seven, it can now be reported.

Reece Galbraith, 33, has admitted the manslaughter of Archie York and Galbraith’s friend Jason “Jay” Laws, 35. They died in the incident at Violet Close, Benwell, Newcastle, in the early hours of October 16.

The explosion wrecked the street. It also left families homeless and led to a massive response from 999 crews.

Archie was sleeping in bed when the explosion tore through the home he shared with parents Katherine and Robbie and his baby brother Finley. His mother 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, of Rectory Road, Gateshead, had previously denied manslaughter and was due to go on trial next month. However, he appeared at Newcastle Crown Court via a prison videolink to change his pleas to guilty on Thursday. In addition, he admitted possessing and supplying cannabis between November 2023 and October 2024. He will be sentenced on May 14.

Emergency services at the scene at Violet Close in Benwell, Newcastle-Upon-Tyne. Reece Galbraith, 33, has admitted two counts of manslaughter and the production and supply of cannabis at Newcastle Crown Court after a house explosion in the city that killed two people in October, including a seven-year-old boy. Issue date: Thursday April 3, 2025. PA Photo. Galbraith, 33, has admitted the manslaughter of Archie York and Galbraith's friend Jason "Jay" Laws, 35, who died in the blast, in the early hours of October 16. See PA story COURTS Benwell. Photo credit should read: Owen Humphreys/PA Wire(Image: © 2025 PA Media, All Rights Reserved)

Judge Paul Sloan KC, who remanded him in custody after Galbraith pleaded guilty, said: “As you will be aware you face a significant, immediate custodial sentence.” Galbraith was badly injured in the explosion.

His solicitor said at a previous hearing that he was lucky to survive. At an earlier hearing at Newcastle Magistrates’ Court, prosecutors revealed that officers halted Galbraith’s car in April last year and found drugs.

His home was searched and moulds to make cannabis sweets were found. He was released pending further investigation, the court was told.

Analysis of his mobile phone revealed 80 text messages about the sale of cannabis sweets. Claire Armstrong, representing the prosecution during the magistrates’ court hearing, said the explosion was caused by butane gas in the property to process drugs.

Reece Galbraith(Image: Copyright remains with handout provider)

“Following the explosion, 100 butane canisters were found,” she said. She said Galbraith’s fingerprints were on items recovered from the destroyed flat which the prosecution described as a “drug lab”.

Michael Gibson, defending at the 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.”