Man killed boy, 7, in explosion while making cannabis sweets – today he learned his fate

A man who killed a seven-year-old boy who was sleeping when an explosion ripped through his bedroom has today been . Reece Galbraith was making in the flat below little Archie York's home when a blast killed the boy and Galbraith's friend Jason Laws, 33.

Today Galbraith has been sentenced for two counts of manslaughter, having previously pleaded guilty at . He was jailed for 14 years. The court heard the blast took place in the early hours of October 16 last year and wrecked the street. Families were let homeless and a major emergency was declared as crews raced to the Benwell area of Newcastle.

Galbraith, of Rectory Road, Gateshead, was placed in an induced coma after the blast and later admitted two counts of manslaughter as well as possessing and supplying cannabis. discovered that along with Mr Laws, Galbraith operated a “drugs lab” from the flat to produce cannabis concentrates - known as “shatter” or “butane honey oil” - in a highly dangerous process. The product was then turned into cannabis edibles, also known as “gummies”.

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Little Archie was in bed asleep in the home he shared with parents Katherine Errington and Robbie York and his baby brother Finley. His mother previously told ChronicleLive: “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.”

A previous hearing was told Galbraith was lucky to survive the explosion. It also heard police stopped his car in April last year and found drugs. Officers then searched his home and moulds to make cannabis sweets were discovered, but he was released pending further investigation. Analysis of his mobile phone showed 80 text messages relating to the sale of cannabis sweets.

Prosecutor Claire Armstrong 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.

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.”