Man admits killing boy and man in drug lab blast
Northumbria PoliceA man has admitted killing two people in an explosion sparked by a cannabis sweets drugs lab using gas cannisters.
Archie York, seven, and Jason Laws, 35, died in the blast in Violet Close, Benwell, Newcastle, on 16 October last year.
Reece Galbraith, 33, admitted two counts of manslaughter and the production and supply of cannabis at Newcastle Crown Court.
Galbraith, of Rectory Road, Gateshead, had denied manslaughter and was due to go on trial next month, but changed his pleas to guilty on Thursday. He will be sentenced on 14 May.
The explosion ripped through several properties on the street at about 00:45 BST.
As well as the fatalities, it left families homeless and led to a major emergency services response.
The court heard that Jason "Jay" Laws who died was Galbraith's friend.
Archie was previously described as a "cheeky boy who had a heart of gold" by his parents, Katherine and Robbie.
PANorthumbria Police said a drugs lab was being operated inside a neighbouring flat used by Galbraith and Mr Laws.
It was producing cannabis concentrates, known as shatter or butane honey oil, to make sweets called "gummies".
About 100 gas cannisters were thought to have exploded, the court heard.
Archie and his family were asleep directly above the lab when the explosion happened.
Family handoutDet Ch Insp Katie Smith, of Northumbria Police, said the process of creating cannabis shatter and other drugs in this way was "exceptionally dangerous".
"The truly devastating impact of this case should be enough to make anyone doing this to think again," she added.
Galbraith also admitted possessing and supplying cannabis between November 2023 and October 2024.
Remanding Galbraith, Judge Paul Sloan KC, said: "As you will be aware you face a significant, immediate custodial sentence."
Northumbria Police is urging anyone who has information regarding drug activity or people buying multiple butane cannisters, propane bottles or having unusual stainless-steel equipment, to get in touch.
Additional reporting by PA Media.