Seven-year-old boy killed in 'drugs lab' house explosion

A 33-year-old man has admitted to manslaughter in Newcastle Crown Court after a house explosion caused by a 'drugs lab' he was running with a friend resulted in the death of a seven-year-old boy.

Archie York, of Violet Close, Benwell, Newcastle, was killed while sleeping in his bed when 100 gas canisters erupted in a neighbouring flat in the early hours of October 16, 2024.

Jason "Jay" Laws, 35, was also killed in the blast.

Reece Galbraith admitted the manslaughter of Archie and Mr Laws, who was his friend, on Thursday. Galbraith, from Gateshead, had initially pleaded not guilty to the charges.

He also admitted possessing and supplying cannabis between November 2023 and October 2024.

Galbraith will be sentenced on May 14 by Mr Justice Cotter after a report has been prepared.

Last October's explosion wrecked the residential street, rendering families homeless and leading to a major emergency services response.

At a previous hearing at Newcastle Magistrates’ Court, prosecutors said police stopped Galbraith’s car in April last year and found drugs.

His home was searched 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.

Galbraith's fingerprints were detected on items recovered from the destroyed flat, leading to his arrest in relation to the incident.

Judge Paul Sloan KC, who remanded him in custody after he pleaded guilty, told the defendant: “As you will be aware you face a significant, immediate custodial sentence.”

Galbraith was badly injured in the blast and his solicitor, Michael Gibson, said at a previous hearing he was lucky to survive.

"He was lucky not to be killed in the explosion," said Mr Gibson.

"He was placed in an induced coma for a week and in hospital for a month receiving treatment. That treatment is ongoing."

He added: "He doesn’t have full use of his arms due to burns. He is weak and feeble."

Earlier this week, in an interview with the Newcastle Chronicle, Archie's mother, Katherine York, said: "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."

After today's hearing, Detective Chief Inspector Katie Smith, of Northumbria Police, told reporters: "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."