Drug dealer sentenced to prison for killing 7-year-old boy in explosion.

Reece Galbraith, 33, has been sentenced to 14 years in prison after his illegal cannabis operation led to a deadly explosion that killed seven-year-old Archie York.

 The blast occurred in a residential block in Benwell during the early hours of October 16, 2024, as reported by Newcastle Crown Court. The explosion, triggered by a butane buildup from the production of drug-infused sweets in one of the flats, claimed both Archie's life and that of Jason Laws, 35, who was also involved in the operation. Galbraith, hailing from Gateshead, pleaded guilty to two counts of manslaughter. In court, Archie's mother confronted him, expressing her grief and outrage at the loss of her child.

 According to prosecutor David Brooke KC, Galbraith and Laws had been operating a cannabis extraction site in a ground-floor flat, producing a high-potency substance known as cannabis shatter. At around 00:40 BST, their operation led to a catastrophic explosion that not only killed Archie, who was sleeping in his living room, but also destroyed six homes in the vicinity. After the blast, a fierce fire ensued, and the entire building had to be demolished, leaving many residents homeless and affecting a total of 81 adults and 59 children. The financial burden on Newcastle City Council due to the incident was estimated at £3.7 million, with 10 households being permanently relocated. 
In her emotional testimony, Katherine Errington, Archie's mother, stated that the tragedy had "broken us in ways I didn't know were possible," reflecting on the immense loss her family faced. She expressed feelings of "survivor's guilt" and condemned Galbraith for prioritizing profit over safety, declaring, "You killed my son." Archie's father, Robbie York, expressed his deep anger towards Galbraith and Laws, stating he felt "no sympathy" for Laws' death. He criticized their actions while his family slept unknowingly, reiterating that their dangerous activities put numerous children at risk. Another neighbor who lost her home after 18 years described Galbraith and Laws as selfish and greedy. One heartwrenching account included a mother whose seven-month-old daughter was thrown across the bedroom during the explosion, raising concerns about potential long-term medical needs as a result of the incident.

BBC