Newcastle Central and West MP Chi Onwurah has said she will be 'disappointed' if the Government does not listen to a Tyneside mum's pleas to block child killers from early prison release. Seven-year-old Archie York was killed when a powerful explosion ripped through his home in Benwell, Newcastle, almost two years ago.
Background
The blast was caused by a dangerous drugs lab set up by dealer Reece Galbraith in the flat below Archie's home on Violet Close. Galbraith, of Rectory Road in Bensham, Gateshead, was jailed for 14 years after pleading guilty to manslaughter. But Archie's parents were dealt a further blow last month when they were told Galbraith could be freed after serving just half of his sentence due to changes introduced under the Sentencing Act 2026 to free up space in overcrowded prisons.
Prime Minister's decision
After becoming Prime Minister, Andy Burnham announced he would pause the policy, which would have seen thousands of prisoners freed in September, to carry out a review. Archie's mum, Katherine Errington, urged the PM to exclude child killers from any early release schemes. However, Mr Burnham announced yesterday that the changes would go ahead in October, but with rapists, child sex offenders and those guilty of grooming gang offences blocked from early release. The decision not to include child killers in the exemption has left Katherine, 28, devastated.
MP's response
Earlier this month ChronicleLive arranged and hosted a meeting between Katherine, Archie's dad Robbie York, and Dame Chi Onwurah. The Labour MP then wrote to the newly-installed justice secretary, Alex Norris, asking him to meet Katherine and hear directly from a grieving mother about how the early release policy has impacted her life. Today Ms Onwurah said she still hoped Katherine's plea would be heard by ministers.
She said: "I have written to the Secretary of State setting out why I and Archie's mother believe that child killers should not be eligible for early release. I'm waiting for a response and I will be disappointed if he rules out Archie's mother's wish at this stage."
Details of the case
Archie was asleep at his home when the explosion destroyed the flat and a number of neighbouring properties in October 2024. His parents and baby brother Finley escaped without serious injury, but Archie's body was later found in debris. Detectives discovered that Galbraith had been using highly dangerous butane gas to make cannabis shatter, a concentrated cannabis extract, in the flat below Archie's home. Galbraith had been manufacturing the drugs with his friend Jason Laws, 35, also killed in the blast. The explosion also destroyed a number of other homes, meaning dozens of families had to be rehoused.
Galbraith pleaded guilty to two counts of manslaughter, producing cannabis and being concerned in the supply of cannabis and was handed the 14-year prison sentence at Newcastle Crown Court.
Prime Minister's statement
Just last week Katherine joined other grieving family members, politicians and the Chronicle to beg the Prime Minister not to allow early release to apply to child killers. But in announcing that the sentencing changes would still go ahead, Mr Burnham said only rapists and the perpetrators of serious child sex offences and other grooming offences would be exempt. The PM said the prison system would collapse if he blocked the release of any more criminals.
Mr Burnham said: "Keeping the public safe is my top priority. That's why I asked for an urgent review of the prisoner release scheme. I fully understand the anger, anxiety and distress that's been caused. I've heard that loud and clear. That's why we're making significant changes. Offenders who have been sentenced for rape, serious child sex offences and other grooming offences will be excluded from the changes.
"I want to be honest, I wanted to go even further as I know there will still be concerns about other offenders having their sentence shortened. But it's not possible without the prison system reaching capacity and collapsing, which would put public safety at much greater risk."
