Man admits manslaughter over Benwell house explosion which killed seven-year-old Archie York

Gregg Easteal reports from Newcastle Crown Court where Reece Galbraith was told he faces a 'significant, immediate custodial sentence' following the fatal Benwell blast

A seven-year-old boy was killed in a house explosion which police say was caused by a man involved in making cannabis sweets in a neighbouring flat.

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 16 October.

The blast wrecked the street, rendered families homeless and led to a major emergency services response.

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 (3 April).

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

He will be sentenced on 14 May 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.”

Shortly before 12.45am on 16 October last year, police were contacted by Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service who had responded to a fire at an address on Violet Close in the Benwell area.

Seven-year-old Archie died at the scene. The body of Jason Laws, 35, was recovered later the same day.

Northumbria Police said, following investigations, it became clear a drugs lab to produce cannabis concentrates – known as ‘shatter’ or ‘butane honey oil’ – was being operated inside an address used by Galbraith and Jason Laws.

This in turn was then used to create cannabis edibles, also referred to as ‘gummies’, the force said.

The extraction process used to produce this Class B drug is highly dangerous.

Archie and his family were asleep in the premises directly above where this was taking place when the explosion occurred.

Leading the investigation, Detective Chief Inspector Katie Smith, of Northumbria Police, said: “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.”

She added: “The process of creating ‘cannabis shatter’ and other drugs in this way is exceptionally dangerous.

“The truly devastating impact of this case should be enough to make anyone doing this to think again.

“We would also urge anyone who has any information about the production of drugs to come forward so we can take action – you could save someone’s life.”

Christopher Atkinson, Head of the Complex Casework Unit for CPS North East, said: “Our thoughts remain with the family of Archie York, whose tragic death last year shocked the community of Benwell.

“It is clear from the evidence in this case that the explosion which took Archie’s life was caused by a build-up of butane in the address used by Jason Laws, who also died in the blast.

"That address had been the site of an illegal operation producing a highly concentrated form of cannabis, through a dangerous process involving the use of large quantities of flammable butane gas.

“The Crown Prosecution Service has worked closely with Northumbria Police to build a robust case against Reece Galbraith for his involvement in that operation, which has been instrumental in securing his guilty pleas to all charges against him.

“We hope that today’s convictions bring some measure of comfort to the family of Archie York, at what must remain an incredibly difficult time for them.”

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Claire Armstrong, representing the prosecution during the magistrates’ court hearing, said the explosion on 16 October 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.”

Northumbria Police are keen to hear from anyone who becomes aware of people buying, taking delivery of or being in possession of multiple butane canisters, propane bottles or unusual looking stainless-steel equipment.

Anyone with information on suspected drug criminality should contact the force on 101.

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