Weed vendor admits killing boy, 7 after Newcastle drug manufacturing unit exploded
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A weed dealer faces a lengthy jail term after admitting killing a boy of seven and a man in his 30s in a ‘truly devastating’ house explosion caused by his drug factory.
Little Archie York and Jason “Jay” Laws, 35, died when a blast tore through a block of flats in Newcastle in the early hours of October 16 last year, which wrecked the street and led to a major emergency services response.
Reece Galbraith, 33, of Gateshead, admitted two counts of manslaughter and the production and supply of cannabis at Newcastle Crown Court on Thursday.
The devastating blast reduced several properties to rubble, killing Archie and injuring his parents and two-month old brother, who were rushed to hospital. Jason’s body was also found in the ruins.
It can now be reported the fatal blast was caused by criminals making cannabis sweets in a neighbouring flat with 100 gas cannisters.
Galbraith, of Rectory Road, Gateshead, had previously denied manslaughter and was due to go on trial next month but appeared at Newcastle Crown Court via a prison videolink to change his pleas to guilty on Thursday.
He also admitted possessing and supplying cannabis between November 2023 and October 2024. He will be sentenced on May 14 by Mr Justice Cotter after a report has been prepared.
Judge Paul Sloan KC, who remanded him in custody after Galbraith pleaded guilty, told him: “As you will be aware you face a significant, immediate custodial sentence.”
Galbraith was badly injured in the blast and his solicitor said at a previous hearing he was lucky to survive.
Archie was in bed asleep when the blast ripped through the home he shared with parents Katherine and Robbie and his baby brother Finley.
Earlier this week, his mother told the Newcastle Chronicle: “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.”
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.
Claire Armstrong, representing the prosecution during the magistrates’ court hearing, said the explosion on October 16 was caused by butane gas that was in the property to process drugs. She said: “Following the explosion, 100 butane cannisters were found.”
She said Galbraith’s fingerprints were present on items recovered from the destroyed flat which the prosecution described as a “drug lab”.
Michael Gibson, defending at the magistrates’ court 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.”
At the time of his death, Archie’s aunt Abbie York said: “He was the most beautiful, funny and caring little boy, and his name deserves to be shouted from the rooftops. We all love you so much, little man. You didn’t deserve this.”
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