In a tragic incident that shook the community of Benwell, Newcastle, a man named Reece Galbraith has been sentenced to 14 years in prison after his illegal cannabis operation led to an explosion that killed a seven-year-old boy, Archie York. The explosion, which occurred in the early hours of October 16, 2024, devastated several homes in a residential block and resulted in the death of both Archie and Galbraith's accomplice, Jason Laws.
The explosion was triggered by a build-up of butane gas used in the production of cannabis-infused sweets, known as "shatter," in a ground-floor flat. This flat was part of a block of 12 homes on Violet Close. The process of making cannabis shatter involves using liquid butane, which is highly flammable and dangerous. Prosecutor David Brooke KC explained that despite clear warnings on the butane canisters, Galbraith and Laws ignored the risks, leading to the catastrophic explosion.
Archie was asleep in the living room of his family's upstairs flat when the explosion occurred. His mother, Katherine Errington, and his seven-week-old brother, Finlay, were buried under the rubble but were rescued by Archie's father, Robbie York. Although the family survived, Archie tragically lost his life instantly in the blast. The explosion also claimed the life of the family's beloved dog, Chase.
The aftermath of the explosion was severe, with a fierce fire breaking out and the block ultimately being demolished. The incident left dozens of residents homeless and destroyed their possessions, with the damage and costs to Newcastle City Council estimated at £3.7 million. In total, 81 adults and 59 children from 51 homes were displaced, and 10 households needed permanent rehousing.
In court, Katherine Errington expressed her profound grief and anger, stating that her son's death had shattered their family in unimaginable ways. She confronted Galbraith, accusing him of prioritizing profit over safety and telling him, "You killed my son." Her sentiments were echoed by her husband, Robbie York, who said he felt nothing but anger towards Galbraith and Laws, emphasizing that their illegal activities had endangered his family while they slept peacefully above the drug operation.
The community was deeply affected by the incident, with one neighbor describing the men as selfish and greedy. Another resident recounted how her seven-month-old daughter was blown across her bedroom and buried beneath debris, fearing long-term medical consequences for the child.
During the investigation, police discovered dozens of butane canisters and expensive equipment used for producing cannabis shatter amidst the wreckage. Galbraith's fingerprints were found on the canisters and on packages of cannabis sweets in Laws' car, with evidence from his phone indicating he had been involved in selling the sweets for nearly a year before the explosion. Galbraith, who had been in the flat at the time of the explosion, was found in the wreckage with severe burns and spent a month in a coma. He had previous convictions related to drug offenses and was under police investigation at the time of the incident.
In mitigation, Galbraith's defense lawyer, Richard Wright KC, argued that Galbraith had not intended to harm anyone and was genuinely remorseful. However, Mr. Justice Cotter, who presided over the case, emphasized the irreversible impact on Archie's family, acknowledging their life sentence of grief. He highlighted the inherently dangerous nature of the operation and the recklessness of ignoring explicit warnings about using butane.
The judge noted that it was miraculous more people were not injured or killed in the explosion. Nevertheless, the sentence serves as a stark reminder of the consequences of engaging in illegal and hazardous activities without regard for the safety of others.
The tragic loss of Archie York and the devastation caused by the explosion have left a lasting impact on the community, with the family and residents struggling to rebuild their lives in the wake of the disaster.