Both are due to stand trial at Preston Crown Court on 4 October. Young child killed in devastating explosion which destroyed houses, Sharon and Darren Greenham are fighting for their lives after the blast that killed their two-year-old neighbour, George Hinds, two, died in the Heysham explosion police are now probing as a criminal investigation, The Greenhams were badly wounded when the gas explosion reduced their home and their neighbours' house to ruins, A child's toy is seen in the rubble of the scene of the gas explosion in Mallowdale Avenue, Heysham, The family's house was reduced to a pile of rubble in the blast. The gas explosion took place in Heysham on May 16 last year. The drunk and drugged up neighbour whose reckless actions caused a huge gas explosion, killing a two-year-old boy, has been jailed for 15 years. He had plagued the lives of his neighbours for five years before he took that of little George Hinds in May last year. Editors' Code of Practice. Sharon Greenham, 51, and Darren Greenham, 44, entered not guilty pleas to a charge of manslaughter over the death . READ MORE: Man died for 20 seconds only for stranger to save his life on side of the road. Two homes completely collapsed as a result of the explosion, while another was seriously damaged. A man who cut a gas pipe to sell for scrap, causing a blast in which a two-year-old boy died, has been jailed. They denied damaging a gas meter between January and May 2021 and the theft of gas between March and May 2021. READ MORE: Toddler killer given 15 years after causing lethal gas explosion. 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A total of 55 properties in the area were damaged. They say they now identified the cause of the explosion as a gas pipe which had been cut inside the home. Those ads you do see are predominantly from local businesses promoting local services. Two-year-old George Hinds died in the explosion in Heysham, Lancashire, on May 16 last year after Darren Greenham, 45, used an angle grinder to cut the pipe while drunk and under the influence of . only a light switch would have been needed, Man died for 20 seconds only for stranger to save his life on side of the road, devastation and trauma he had caused by killing their little boy, Mum of 22 Sue Radford responds to claims she is pregnant again, Sue shares 22 children with husband Noel and they are Britain's largest family, March's DWP cost of living crisis payments, when it'll arrive and who is eligible, Here is the full list of DWP cost of living payments available in March 2023, DWP Universal Credit, PIP and Housing Benefit upcoming changes in full affecting millions, The changes in the coming weeks may have a direct effect on your personal finances so it's important to be aware of them, DWP could pay you 627 a month if you have one of these 70 conditions, You could receive a large sum of money every month if you have one of these 70 conditions, Christine McGuinness stuns in gown after Paddy 'gets cosy' with Kirsty Gallacher on night out, Paddy has been single since announcing the end of his 11-year marriage last July, Coleen Nolan furious Charles Bronson has never said 'sorry' ahead of parole hearing, The potential imminent release of Bronson was a hot top on ITV's Loose Women earlier this week, Urgent appeal as police believe missing teenager could have travelled to Blackpool, Alfie Nevin is missing from Chatham, Kent, Mum watched CCTV in horror as workman crept around house and headed to underwear drawer, Ashley Blakey says she feels 'violated and exposed' after the incident, Preston's homelessness problem as city becomes Lancashire's hot spot, New government data shows that Preston has more people sleeping rough than anywhere else in Lancashire, Preston high school where racism and homophobia isn't taken seriously by all adults. The force said it was now treating the probe as a criminal investigation and inquiries continue into how the pipe came to be cut. contact IPSO here, 2001-2023. On May 16, 2021, at about 2.40 a.m., emergency services were called to Mallowdale Avenue in Heysham, Lancashire, following a gas explosion that claimed the life of two-year-old George Hinds. Greenham had cut a gas pipe in his own house while drunk and under the influence of drugs in the early hours of the morning and planned to sell the pipework, the court heard. He lived his life without regard for the comfort of those who were unfortunate enough to live adjacent to him., Speaking outside court after the sentencing, Detective Chief Inspector Jane Webb said: Darren Greenham is a purely selfish, self-centred, ignorant man whose blind stupidity of thinking that he could sell gas pipes to just make a bit of money was completely reckless with no regard for anybodys safety. Lancashire Police have opened a criminal probe int the case after officers identified the cause of the explosion as a cut gas pipe. News you can trust since 1837. . Fuelled with petrol and causing thick black smoke, one of these would require firefighters to attend after spreading out of control to a border fence and another could be seen two miles away. Pupils told inspectors that leaders do not do enough to safeguard them in school. Greenham, who suffered a serious head injury and lost most of the use of his right hand in the blast, pleaded guilty in August to manslaughter, damaging a gas meter and theft of gas. In a statement, George's mother Vicki Studholme said she felt "unsafe" in her home because of Greenham, a "neighbour from hell" who she said made threats of violence towards her, her husband and their son. Hawara: 'What happened was horrific and barbaric'. Our focus now is on trying to establish how and why the pipe inside No. He had plagued the lives of his neighbours for five years before he took that of little George Hinds in May last year. One neighbour described Greenham as an "accident waiting to happen". You can also send story ideas to northwest.newsonline@bbc.co.uk, 'Neighbour from hell' was behind fatal explosion, Man admits manslaughter of boy, 2, killed in blast, Park bench memorial for young gas blast victim, Boy killed and four adults injured in explosion, Grants fund learning and land management at Cumbrian farm, Construction of Burnley 11m commercial estate to start in June, Northern lights spotted across South Cumbria, Blackpool and Fylde College defends facebook post about the dissection of a pregnant shark which was branded 'senseless and cruel', Fleetwood Market undergoing 2m upgrade plus 'energy efficient' works, Burnley poacher arrested after speeding near Turf Moor and crashing car containing deer carcass, Human error to blame for deadly train crash, says Greek PM, At the crash site of 'no hope' - BBC reporter in Greece. Mr Hinds delivered his own statement, placing on the stand a pillow which belonged to his boy and was recovered from the rubble. Having to say goodbye for one last time, I cant even describe in words what this felt like. As things stand, the case will be opened on October 4 and Darren Greenham will be sentenced on October 5. This means that we may include adverts from us and third parties based on our knowledge of you. Every day this week has been a new challenge and to go from seeing my two-year-old beautiful boy from playing in the garden, to a week later planning his funeral in his new 3ft bed, is unreal. Darren Greenham, 45, used an angle grinder to cut the pipe at his home on Mallowdale Avenue in Heysham, Lancashire, in May 2021. "Never ever have I felt so scared as in that moment of my life. George Hinds died after neighbour Darren Greenham cut a pipe in his own home in Heysham, Lancashire, in 2021. Something went wrong, please try again later. Darren Greenham caused a massive gas explosion by cutting gas pipes he intended to sell for scrap, Want all the latest cases and top crime stories from Lancs Live? Speaking outside court, Det Ch Insp Jane Webb said: "Greenham is a purely selfish, self-centred, ignorant man whose blind stupidity of thinking that he could sell gas pipes to just make a bit of money was completely reckless with no regard for anybody's safety.". You can also send story ideas to northwest.newsonline@bbc.co.uk, Grants fund learning and land management at Cumbrian farm, Construction of Burnley 11m commercial estate to start in June, Northern lights spotted across South Cumbria, Blackpool and Fylde College defends facebook post about the dissection of a pregnant shark which was branded 'senseless and cruel', Fleetwood Market undergoing 2m upgrade plus 'energy efficient' works, Burnley poacher arrested after speeding near Turf Moor and crashing car containing deer carcass, Human error to blame for deadly train crash, says Greek PM, At the crash site of 'no hope' - BBC reporter in Greece. She said: "After the explosion, being trapped in the rubble was the most scared I had ever been in my life. We also may change the frequency you receive our emails from us in order to keep you up to date and give you the best relevant information possible. Detectives said he was intent on selling the cut pipes for scrap metal and had boasted to witnesses that he would make 400 to buy a car. Sharon and Darren Greenham survived the Heysham explosion that killed two-year-old neighbour George Hinds, as detectives open a criminal probe after finding a cut pipe caused the blast Read about our approach to external linking. "neighbour from hell" caused a gas explosion which killed a two-year-old boy after cutting a gas pipe to sell for scrap metal, a court has heard. George Hinds, two, was killed in the explosion in Heysham, Lancs, back in May. A man has admitted responsibility for the death of a two-year-old boy who perished in a . A heartbreaking tribute shared by father Stephen Hinds on his Facebook page after his son's death last Sunday, Emergency workers at the scene where a cordon was put in place on Mallowdale Ave Heysham, on Sunday May 16, More than 51,000 has been raised by the community in Morecambe after the blast which killed two-year-old George Hinds. Sentencing, Recorder Robert Altham said: Greenham was a selfish and disruptive neighbour. A two-year-old boy died after a "neighbour from hell" caused a gas explosion by cutting a pipe to sell for scrap metal, a court has heard. Video, At the crash site of 'no hope' - BBC reporter in Greece, Record numbers of guide dog volunteers after BBC story. Officers found two houses collapsed, and a third property had suffered 'serious damage'. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused. No sentence will ever make up for the loss of Georges life or reflect the pain and misery Greenham has caused. "This was until I arrived at the hospital to be told that George had died. Darren Greenham, 44, has admitted charges of manslaughter and theft after George Hinds, 2, died in a massive explosion caused by a gasline being cut in Heysham last year. "This was until I arrived at the hospital to be told that George had died. She asked me to because it was always me that put him to bed at night. Couple Appear In Court Charged With Murdering Elderly Woman & Stealing 14,000, "Neighbour From Hell" Darren Greenham Jailed For Manslaughter After Gas Explosion Killed Toddler, Darren Greenham, 45, was jailed for 15 years for causing the death of 2-year-old George Hinds, SUBSCRIBE TO GET EVERY STORY TO YOUR MAILBOX. A third defendant, Paul Marsh, 54, from Heysham, also pleaded not guilty to damaging a gas meter and theft of gas. This website and associated newspapers adhere to the Independent Press Standards Organisation's A fundraiser set up in the wake of the blast that killed a young child and destroyed three houses has raised more than 51,000. I really mean that. Greenham was facing eviction proceedings on his property and was hoping to make money from the pipes he cut, according to the prosecution. Sharon and Darren Greenham survived the Heysham explosion that killed two-year-old neighbour George Hinds, as detectives open a criminal probe after finding a cut pipe caused the blast. He was stripping the pipes to sell for 400 to buy a car, the court heard. Read about our approach to external linking. His parents were also injured in the incident. 20, Mallowdale Avenue. ", Why not follow BBC North West on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram? My heart is completely broken.. Credit: Lancashire Police George's father Stephen Hinds . Darren Greenham, 44, admitted manslaughter and theft offences after George Hinds perished in a fireball that ripped through his family's home in Heysham, Lancashire, on May 16 last year. Greenham cut a gas pipe in his own property with an angle grinder, planning to steal the pipework, and bypassed the meter to . A man has been sentenced for causing the death of toddler George Arthur Hinds who tragically died in a gas explosion at his family home in Heysham. George Hinds was killed in the blast which destroyed two homes and damaged another on Mallowdale Avenue, Heysham, at 02:45 BST on 16 May 2021. Darren Greenham, 44, of Ambleside Avenue, Lancaster, was remanded back into custody to be sentenced at a later date after pleading guilty to the manslaughter of George Hinds. . George's father Stephen Hinds clutched a Paw Patrol toy as he watched the sentencing from the public gallery with George's mother, Vicki Studholme, and a number of other neighbours. Or by navigating to the user icon in the top right. The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) worked hard with Lancashire police to build a strong case including eyewitness testimony, forensic evidence linking Greenham to the grinder and copper pipe in the property and CCTV evidence showing the explosion and the movements of the occupants of 20 Mallowdale Avenue. News. At 5.15am Sunday morning my little boy was pronounced dead after two hours 15 minutes trying to bring him back. The judge said she and husband Stephen Hinds are still living in a caravan and had to borrow money after losing their home and all their possessions. "It's his actions that have caused the death of George which are really unforgivable," she added. Emergency services were called to the scene of the blast in Heysham . Four other people were hurt in the explosion in Heysham, Lancashire. Greenham was handed a 15-year prison sentence for manslaughter, damaging a gas meter, and theft of gas. Four other people were also hurt when the two houses were destroyed and a third was damaged. After the explosion, being trapped in the rubble was the most scared I had ever been in my life. We also may change the frequency you receive our emails from us in order to keep you up to date and give you the best relevant information possible. All because Darren Greenham decided to cut a gas pipe.". Staff arrange donations at the Hurley Flyer pub in Heysham after a gas blast that killed a young child and destroyed three houses. A "neighbour from hell" caused a gas explosion which killed a two-year-old boy after cutting a gas pipe to sell for scrap metal, a court has heard. Get email updates with the day's biggest stories. Sentencing him, Recorder of Preston Judge Robert Altham said he was a "selfish and disruptive neighbour". He adds that expert evidence explained the smell and sound of the gas leak would have been obvious. Little George died in a gas explosion at his family home in Heysham, near Morecambe, in May 2021. . As well as his abusive behaviour towards those living nearby, he would play loud music at night, use drills and hammers and unsociable hours and start out of control bonfires on a frequent basis. Darren Greenham, 44, has been remanded in custody after he pleaded guilty to manslaughter and theft offences. Mum who shared contents of 3.09 Too Good To Go Morrisons box branded 'shameful' for buying 'out of date food', "Thats totally not acceptable, never heard anything so shameful in my life", Camera Club: Show us your best dog photos for the chance to be crowned March's winner, Share your pictures in Lancs Live's monthly photo competition, Should dogs have to be kept on leads in public spaces? Greenham had been remanded in custody since admitting a manslaughter charge in August, six months after he first pleaded not guilty and just weeks before a trial was due to begin. Mr Hinds told the court yesterday: "By Darren Greenham cutting a gas pipe to make a few quid I have lost my son, my absolute world.". A "neighbour from hell" who caused a gas explosion which killed a two-year-old boy after cutting a pipe to sell for scrap metal has been jailed. "This was until I arrived at the hospital to be told that George had died. Greenham showed no emotion in the dock as he was given concurrent sentences of one month for the charges of damaging the meter and theft of gas. . Why didnt it happen to me and keep him playing here with his mum? Sharon and Darren Greenham (Image: Facebook) A husband and wife have appeared in court charged with causing a gas explosion which killed a two-year-old boy. This is the face of the man whose wicked and selfish actions took the life of a much loved and cherished two-year-old boy. George Hinds was two-years-old when he died in the blast in May 2021. 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