Man charged over Newcastle house explosion which killed man and 7-year-old boy

5 December 2024, 09:27 | Updated: 5 December 2024, 09:33

A man has been charged with manslaughter after a house explosion in Newcastle that killed two people, including a seven-year-old boy.
A man has been charged with manslaughter after a house explosion in Newcastle that killed two people, including a seven-year-old boy. Picture: Alamy

By Lauren Lewis

A man has been charged with manslaughter after a house explosion in Newcastle that killed two people, including a seven-year-old boy.

Listen to this article

Loading audio...

Reece Galbraith, 33, of Gateshead, has been charged with two counts of manslaughter, Northumbria Police said.

Galbraith was also charged with the production of cannabis, and being concerned in the supply of cannabis.

He is due to appear at Newcastle Magistrates' Court on Thursday after being arrested in relation to the explosion on Wednesday, police said.

The blast happened in Violet Close, in the Benwell and Elswick area of the city, in the early hours of October 16.

Seven-year-old Archie York and Jason "Jay" Laws, 35, died in the explosion

Three men previously arrested as part of the investigation - two in their 30s and one in his 50s - remain on police bail pending further inquiries.

Read more: 'People scared to walk the streets,’ PM says as he announces contactable police officers for every neighbourhood

Read more: Chief prosecutor 'sorry' to victims of crime as delays 'worse than I've ever known'

Detective Chief Inspector Katie Smith, of Northumbria Police, said: "This was a truly tragic incident in which two people died.

"As a result of our ongoing investigation, a man has now been charged.

"We recognise the strength of feeling around what has happened and would continue to ask people to avoid speculation both online and in the community which could jeopardise the ongoing proceedings.

"Our inquiries also continue and we would further ask anyone with information who is yet to come forward to contact us as a soon as possible."

More Latest News

See more More Latest News

US-ECONOMY-MARKET-STOCKS

Relief for financial markets as stocks recover from historic losses days on from tariff turmoil

XL Bullies Being Walked On Private Land After Ban

XL Bully mauled two people after being ordered to ‘kill’ by owner as victims left with 'horrific injuries'

Kerri Pegg, former governor of HMP Kirkham,

Prison governor guilty of misconduct after relationship with drug boss 'Jesse Pinkman' who gifted her £12k Mercedes

Emergency services search for survivors after the ceiling collapsed in Dominican Republic

At least 15 killed after nightclub ceiling collapses in Dominican Republic as desperate hunt for survivors launched

Westfield Stratford City shopping center, London England United Kingdom UK

Two teenage boys charged after seat thrown from third floor of Westfield shopping centre

Elton John and Madonna 'bury the hatchet' after decades-long feud

Elton John and Madonna 'bury the hatchet' after decades-long feud

Zelenskyy shared the video of the alleged Chinese soldier on Telegram

Two Chinese soldiers captured fighting in Ukraine - and Zelenskyy says he wants US and Europe to respond

Ahmad Mamdouh Al Ibrahim was fatally stabbed in Huddersfield

Boy, 16, fatally stabbed in Huddersfield was refugee who fled Syria and dreamed of becoming doctor

Yossi Benayoun

Former Premier League star 'survives grenade attack on home'

New Scotland Yard

Serving Met Police officer charged with four counts of rape

FILE - A North Korean military guard post, top, and South Korean post, bottom, are seen from Paju, South Korea, near the border with North Korea, Friday, May 31, 2024. (AP Photo/Ahn Young-joon, File)

South Korean military fire at North Korean soldiers 'crossing demarcation line'

Jorge Bolano of Parma

Cause of death revealed after World Cup star dies aged 47 as Gianluigi Buffon leads tributes

Rachel Reeves has told Brits 'we have your backs'

'We've got your back,' Rachel Reeves tells Brits as she warns Trump's tariffs have 'huge implications' for economy

Boy, 15, and girl, 13, guilty of manslaughter following the death of Leicester pensioner Bhim Kohli

Boy, 15, and girl, 13, guilty of manslaughter following the death of Leicester dog walker Bhim Kohli

File photo of a Ukrainian soldier, with forces confirmed to be in a second Russian border region

'War must return where it came from': Ukraine forces 'active in second Russian border region', Zelenskyy confirms

Dismembered body of British scientist found in suitcase after vanishing in Columbia

Dismembered body of British scientist found in suitcase after vanishing in Colombia