Man jailed for five years after Roker house explosion
Ian Lenaghan, 59, was sentenced at Newcastle Crown Court
Last updated 19th Aug 2022
A Sunderland man is set to spend the next five years in prison - after causing a gas explosion in his house in Roker - which caused more than £1m of damage.
Emergency services descended on Whickham Street in Roker on the afternoon of February 15 after a gas explosion that occurred within the kitchen area of a first floor flat.
Ian Lenaghan, 59, was one of two people taken to hospital with serious injuries as a result of the blast which destroyed one property and substantially damaged several others – sparking a huge emergency service response.
An investigation into the cause of the explosion was subsequently carried out with police supported by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) and Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service.
They found that a gas cooker hose had been cut multiple times with a sharp metal object prior to the blast, which occurred at 3.45pm.
Lenaghan, of Whickham Street, Sunderland, initially denied his involvement in the cause of the explosion, but on May 11 he pleaded guilty to damaging property reckless as to whether life was endangered when he appeared at Newcastle Crown Court.
He was remanded into custody ahead of sentencing.
And today Lenaghan returned before the same court where he was sentenced to five years in prison for his part in the explosion.
Detective Sergeant Alan Whittle, of Northumbria Police, said:
“I am pleased to have been able to put Ian Lenaghan before the courts and highlight the great danger he caused to others that day.
“His reckless actions that afternoon could have so easily have resulted in a number of fatalities. In fact, it is sheer luck that nobody died or was seriously injured in that blast.
“The damage caused on this residential street was significant, at an estimated value of up to £1.4 million. It displaced people from their homes and came at a huge cost to everyone involved.
“I am pleased that effective justice has now been delivered for this offence and Lenaghan will now have time to think about his mindless actions in his prison cell.
“I would again like to extend my thanks to the community for their incredible cooperation and patience throughout, as well as HSE, Gentoo and our blue-light colleagues who played such an instrumental role in the hours and days after the blast.”
The second male who was taken to hospital was later discharged.
"He didn't expect such an explosion"
The former Royal Navy man suffered 80 per cent burns in the blast on February 15, which also left his downstairs neighbour needing several days of hospital treatment.
The blast wrecked properties owned by the Gentoo housing association and one privately-owned flat, and a decision has yet to be taken on whether to repair or rebuild them.
The damage has been estimated at at least £1 million and the fire service's response of 15 vehicles and 40 crew cost £7,000.
Neighbours lost their possessions and a pet cat was killed in the explosion, Emma Dowling, prosecuting, said.
Lenaghan, a father-of-three, initially denied any blame, saying he was in the loft changing amps when the explosion ripped through his home.
A Health and Safety Executive investigation revealed the gas pipe had been deliberately cut and he was to admit a single charge of damaging property being reckless as to whether life was endangered.
A psychiatric report later revealed Lenaghan had seen media coverage of the Falklands War, where he had seen active service, and it struck him that he had done little of value since then.
Tony Cornberg, defending, said:
"He didn't expect such an explosion, it was ultimately an act that he did in an attempt to take his life."
Recorder Tom Moran said:
"Sadly there are many ways of doing that.
"You chose a spectacularly reckless way to do that.
"Anyone thinking clearly would have seen the way you did it exposed other people to a great deal of danger as well."