Drug dealer JAILED for his part in Benwell explosion which killed 7 year old boy
Reece Galbraith has been handed a 14 year sentence at Newcastle Crown Court
Last updated 14th May 2025
A man has been sentenced to 14 years in prison after an explosion in Newcastle killed two people, including a 7-year-old boy.
Reece Galbraith, 33, of Rectory Road, Gateshead, appeared at Newcastle Crown Court today (Wednesday) where he was sentenced to two counts of manslaughter, production of cannabis, and being concerned in the supply of cannabis.
Shortly before 12.45am on October 16th 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.
7-year-old Archie York died at the scene. The body of Jason Laws, 35, was recovered later the same day.
Following the fatal explosion, investigators from Northumbria Police worked with a range of partners to establish what had happened.
It was through these enquiries 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 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.”
After The Blast - The Benwell Tragedy
Our reporter Micky Welch has spent time with Archie's mam Katherine Errington and the Senior Investigating Officer from Northumbria Police, DCI Katie Smith, talking about that tragic night in October 2024: