[[{“value”:”
Reece Galbraith, 33, has admitted the manslaughter of Archie York and Galbraith’s friend Jason “Jay” Laws, 35, who died in a blast at Violet Close, Benwell, Newcastle, in the early hours of October 16.
(Image: Picture: NORTHUMBRIA POLICE) The blast wrecked the street, rendered families homeless, and led to a major emergency services response.
Six other people were taken to hospital following the blast, and dozens of residents had to leave their homes, which were cordoned off.
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.
(Image: Picture: NORTHUMBRIA POLICE) Archie’s funeral was held on January, 7, and his parents, Katherine and Robbie, said: “Archie was not only our son but our best friend. He lit up every room he went in; he was known for his cheeky words.”
“He might have been small, but he had a heart of gold, everyone loved him.
“We are so broken as a family, but Archie will live on in his baby brother Finley, who is the spitting image of him.
Jay Laws, who was pulled from the rubble, was described by his loved ones as the “best dad in the world”, was laid to rest on January, 10.
In a death notice, he was described as a “treasured son”, “loving brother”, “devoted dad”, and “much loved partner”.
Galbraith also admitted possessing and supplying cannabis between November 2023 and October 2024.
(Image: Picture: THE NORTHERN ECHO) 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 the defendant: “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 news site: “As a parent and as a mother, you try your best to keep your children safe, and that was taken 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.
“Following the explosion, 100 butane canisters were found,” she said.
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.”
“}]] A man has admitted to two counts of manslaughter and the production and supply of cannabis, after a Newcastle house explosion killed two people. Read More
