The mother of blast victim Archie York has launched a petition to keep his killer behind bars. Seven-year-old Archie died in October 2024 after an explosion, caused by a dangerous drugs factory in the flat below, tore through his Newcastle home.
Reece Galbraith, who set up the cannabis shatter lab, was jailed for 14 years for manslaughter. But Archie's mum, Katherine Errington, has been told Galbraith could be freed after serving just seven years under government plans to release some offenders early to ease prison overcrowding.
Petition urges exclusion from early release
Katherine's petition urges ministers to exclude manslaughter and child abuse convicts from the early release scheme. It also backs calls to keep Dana Carr, jailed for nine years over the death of County Durham toddler Maya Chappell, behind bars.
Katherine, 28, said: "No family should have to endure the devastating loss of a loved one through violent crime, only to face the possibility that the person responsible could be released automatically before serving the sentence the court intended because of changes to sentencing policy or pressures on prison capacity. My son’s life mattered. Maya's life mattered. Every victim’s life matters. Families who have suffered the greatest imaginable loss deserve confidence that sentences imposed by the courts will not be undermined by automatic release policies."
Prime Minister's decision
Prime Minister Andy Burnham had paused the policy, which would have freed thousands of prisoners in September, for review. But he announced this week that changes would go ahead in October, with rapists, child sex offenders and grooming gang offenders blocked from early release. However, child-killers convicted of manslaughter like Galbraith remain eligible for release after half their sentence.
Archie was asleep at home on Violet Close in Benwell when the explosion destroyed his flat and neighbouring properties. His dad Robbie York, Katherine and baby Finley escaped without serious injury, but Archie's body was found in debris.
Details of the case
Detectives found Galbraith had been using butane gas to make cannabis shatter in the flat below. He was manufacturing drugs with friend Jason Laws, 35, who also died in the blast. The explosion destroyed other homes, rehousing dozens of families.
Galbraith, of Rectory Road, Bensham, Gateshead, pleaded guilty to two counts of manslaughter, producing cannabis and being concerned in the supply of cannabis. He was handed a 14-year sentence at Newcastle Crown Court.
Reforms and impact
Thousands of criminals are set to leave jail early under reforms in the Sentencing Act 2026. Burnham initially paused the scheme for review but announced it will proceed, excluding rapists and serious child sex offenders. Under new rules, criminals originally required to serve 40-50% of their sentence can be released after a third, while those serving two-thirds can be freed after 50%.
Burnham said the prison system would collapse if he blocked early release for more criminals. His failure to exclude child killers left Archie's family devastated. Katherine vowed to continue fighting to ensure Galbraith serves his full sentence and urges Chronicle readers to sign the petition.
Burnham said on Monday: "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."
