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. 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. Darren Greenham, 45, had cut a pipe to 'make a bit of money'. Why didn't it happen to me and keep him playing here with his mum? The views expressed in the contents above are those of our users and do not necessarily reflect the views of MailOnline. 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. Darren Greenham used an angle grinder to cut the pipe at his home on Mallowdale Avenue in Heysham, Lancashire, in May 2021. Greenham returned to the dock on Wednesday dressed in a grey tracksuit and stared emotionless as he was jailed for manslaughter, criminal damage, and theft of gas. One neighbour described Greenham as an "accident waiting to happen". . A 52-year-old woman from Lancashire will face a trial over an allegation of theft of gas at a later date. George Hinds was killed in a gas explosion caused by Darren Greenham, Emergency workers at the scene of the gas explosion in which two-year-old George Hinds died. . He died before he could be brought to justice. The comments below have been moderated in advance. Four other people were also hurt when the two houses were destroyed and a third was damaged. Sharon and Darren Greenham were badly wounded in the blast that killed two-year-old George Hinds. She asked me to because it was always me that put him to bed at night. He said: "With that sobriety has come a clarity and an insight that he didn't have through all his years of drink and drugs, and that clarity and insight has enabled him to see for the first time what terrible harm he has caused.". A fundraiser set up to help the residents of Mallowdale Avenue has now brought in more than 50,000. 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? Pictured: Married couple Darren, 44, and Sharon Greenham, 50, are fighting for their lives in hospital after a gas explosion at their home in Heysham, Lancashire, which police investigators believe was caused by pipe which had been cut in their house, George Arthur Hinds, aged two years and 10 months, was killed by the blast on Mallowdale Avenue in Heysham, Lancashire, and police have since launched a criminal investigation after it was discovered a gas pipe had been cut in one of the homes, An aerial view of the devastation caused by the gas explosion in Heysham which has completely destroyed two homes, Pictured: Emergency workers at the scene of the gas explosion, in which two-year-old George Arthur Hinds was killed and Darren and Sharon Greenham were seriously injured in Mallowdale Avenue, Heysham, Lancashire, on Sunday May 16. 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. A couple are fighting for their lives after a gas pipe that police say was cut in their home sparked an explosion which killed a two-year-old boy in the house next door. SIGN UP for our newsletter : Get the latest stories delivered straight to you VideoRecord numbers of guide dog volunteers after BBC story. He was forced to listen as Recorder Robert Altham outlined his dangerous behaviour which led to the death of much loved toddler George Hinds. In a tribute issued after the youngster's death, his "devastated" parents Vicky and Stephen said: "He was so precious to us. Greenham was handed a 15 year sentence for manslaughter and an additional month for each of the other offences. We use your sign-up to provide content in the ways you've consented to and improve our understanding of you. Four other people were hurt in the explosion in Heysham, Lancashire. He said: Seeing my son in his Paw Patrol coffin in the chapel of rest was heart-rending. What's he waiting for? It tragically continued to him taking the boys life after a drink and drug fuelled night of reckless stupidity. The explosion at 2.36am on 16 May 2021 completely destroyed the defendant's council property in Heysham, Lancashire and damaged 55 others. They are "truly remarkable people", he said. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. 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. This means that we may include adverts from us and third parties based on our knowledge of you. Read about our approach to external linking. Sentencing, Recorder Robert Altham said: Greenham was a selfish and disruptive neighbour. This resulted in an explosion, destroying several homes, causing thousands of pounds worth of damage, and killing an innocent toddler. Greenham, who showed no emotion in the dock, was given concurrent sentences of one month for the charges of damaging the meter and theft of gas. Officers found two houses collapsed, and a third property had suffered 'serious damage'. Mr Hinds said: "By Darren Greenham cutting a gas pipe to make a few quid I have lost my son, my absolute world.". 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The force said it was now treating the probe as a criminal investigation and inquiries continue into how the pipe came to be cut. Sharon Greenham, 51, and 44-year-old Darren Greenham pleaded not guilty at Preston Crown Court to the manslaughter of George Hinds in Heysham. "By Darren Greenham cutting a gas pipe to make a few . Heather Brandwood, manager of the Hurley Flyer pub, set up a GoFundMe appeal after seeing the explosion on the news and also helped collect donations of basics including clothing and toiletries in the aftermath of the explosion. Darren Greenham, 45, of Lancaster's Ambleside Avenue, was sentenced to 15 years in prison at Preston Crown Court. On the night of the explosion, Greenham had arranged for the gas supply to be turned off by another person. Our focus now is on trying to establish how and why the pipe inside No. Something went wrong, please try again later. George Hinds was two-years-old when he died in the blast in May 2021. Part of the Daily Mail, The Mail on Sunday & Metro Media Group. A gas investigator from the health and safety executive carried out an extensive investigation into the explosion and confirmed that a main 22mm pipe under the floorboard at the top of the stairs had been deliberately cut and this had caused the explosion between 20 and 42 minutes after the gas began to escape. In his basis of plea, he said that he believed the gas had been turned off by Marsh. If you are dissatisfied with the response provided you can VideoRecord numbers of guide dog volunteers after BBC story. Never ever have I felt so scared as in that moment of my life.. He lived without regard for the comfort of those who were unfortunate enough to live adjacent to him.". Police were called at 2.40am on the day in question, and were met with total devastation. The tears havent stopped. What's he waiting for? Appearing in the dock at Preston Crown Court today (October 5), Darren Greenham, 44, was sentenced to 15 years after pleading guilty to George's manslaughter. Read about our approach to external linking. Darren Greenham, 45, caused the death of two-year-old George Hinds in a gas explosion in Heysham, Lancashire, in May 2021, after cutting the copper pipes to sell as scrap. 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 'The tears haven't stopped. The gas meter was also found to have been bypassed in order to steal gas, Lancashire Police said. Nothing can ever make up for the loss of George in such tragic circumstances, my thoughts are very much with his family, who have carried themselves throughout the distressing proceedings in a dignified and exemplary manner and who I hope can find some comfort in knowing Greenham has been brought to justice.. 52, and Darren Greenham, 44, both of Ambleside Avenue, Lancaster . The explosion completely destroyed GreenhamsLancashireCounty Council-owned property and caused severe damage to the two neighbouring terraced properties. A co-defendant, Paul Marsh, was accused of damaging the gas meter in Greenhams home to cut bills. 5. Families had to be evacuated and to this day Georges parents have left living in a caravan, reliant on the generosity of others, having had to borrow money for the first time in their lives. George's parents were taken to hospital but have since been discharged and are recovering as they reel from . Please report any comments that break our rules. Darren Greenham, 44, of Bowness Road, Lancaster, admitted manslaughter, criminal damage and theft at Preston Crown Court on Wednesday. Lancashire Constabulary were called to reports of an explosion on Mallowdale Avenue, Heysham, at around 2.40am on May 16 2021. . George Hinds, two, was killed in the explosion in Heysham, Lancs, back in May. He instead awarded 15% credit and rubbished a contention that serious injuries suffered by Greenham could be considered as mitigation. Darren Greenham, 44, has been remanded in custody after he pleaded guilty to manslaughter and theft offences. Sentencing him for manslaughter at Preston Crown Court on Wednesday, The Honourary Recorder of Preston Judge Robert Altham said: Mr Greenham was a selfish and disruptive neighbour. This site is part of Newsquest's audited local newspaper network. 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