Dear 222 News viewers, sponsored by smileband,
In a tragic incident that has deeply affected the Newcastle community, seven-year-old Archie York and 35-year-old Jason Laws lost their lives in a devastating house explosion in Benwell on October 16, 2024. The blast, which destroyed six homes and displaced 140 residents, was caused by a dangerous cannabis extraction process involving butane gas. Reece Galbraith, a 33-year-old drug dealer from Gateshead, was operating an illegal lab to produce cannabis concentrates known as “shatter” or “butane honey oil.” On May 14, 2025, Galbraith was sentenced to 14 years in prison after pleading guilty to two counts of manslaughter and drug offenses.
Archie, described by his family as a “cheeky” boy with a “heart of gold,” was asleep in the flat above the drug lab when the explosion occurred. His parents, Katherine Errington and Robbie York, shared that Archie had dreams of becoming a police officer and enjoyed playing the violin and learning to swim. His funeral, held on January 7, 2025, featured a Marvel theme to reflect his love for superheroes, with mourners wearing themed clothing and his coffin adorned with comic characters.
The explosion not only claimed two lives but also injured six others and left many families homeless. Authorities have emphasized the dangers of illegal drug manufacturing and urged the public to report suspicious activities involving flammable substances.
This incident serves as a somber reminder of the far-reaching consequences of illicit drug operations and the importance of community vigilance in preventing such tragedies.
• Victims:
• 7-year-old Archie York and 35-year-old Jason Laws died in a house explosion.
• Archie was asleep in the flat above the drug lab; he loved Marvel heroes, violin, and swimming.
• Cause of Explosion:
• The explosion was caused by a dangerous cannabis extraction method using butane gas.
• The process was being used to make a potent drug concentrate known as “shatter” or “butane honey oil.”
• Perpetrator:
• Reece Galbraith, 33, a drug dealer from Gateshead, was responsible for the illegal lab.
• He admitted to two counts of manslaughter and drug-related offenses.
• Sentence:
• Galbraith was sentenced to 14 years in prison on May 14, 2025.
• Community Impact:
• Six homes were destroyed, and 140 residents were displaced.
• Six others were injured in the blast.
• Archie’s Funeral:
• Held on January 7, 2025, with a Marvel superhero theme to honor his personality and interests.
• Authorities’ Message:
• Police highlighted the extreme danger of drug production with flammable substances and urged public vigilance.
Conclusion:
The tragic deaths of Archie York and Jason Laws serve as a heartbreaking reminder of the real-world dangers posed by illegal drug operations. What was intended as a secretive drug production effort turned into a catastrophic event that devastated families and a community. Reece Galbraith’s actions, rooted in recklessness and greed, cost two innocent lives and left many more shattered. This case underscores the urgent need for greater awareness, stronger enforcement, and community cooperation to prevent such avoidable tragedies in the future.
Attached is a news article regarding Archie York killed by a drug dealer operations
<!-- Google tag (gtag.js) --> <script async src="https://www.googletagmanager.com/gtag/js?id=G-XDGJVZXVQ4"></script> <script> window.dataLayer = window.dataLayer || []; function gtag(){dataLayer.push(arguments);} gtag('js', new Date()); gtag('config', 'G-XDGJVZXVQ4'); </script>
<script src="https://cdn-eu.pagesense.io/js/smilebandltd/45e5a7e3cddc4e92ba91fba8dc
No comments:
Post a Comment