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Homes blast accused denies killing boy and man

PA Media Aerial shot of damaged properties. One home's roof has been destroyed. Debris from the building is scattered on the nearby grass and street. Two fire engines are parked on the road and firefighters are clearing rubble from the building.PA Media
A blast ripped through several properties on Benwell's Violet Close

A man has pleaded not guilty to the manslaughter of two people in a house explosion in Newcastle.

Seven-year-old Archie York and Jason Laws, 35, died in the blast in Violet Close, Benwell, on 16 October.

Reece Galbraith, 33, of Rectory Road, Gateshead, is charged with two counts of manslaughter, the production of cannabis and being concerned in the supply of cannabis.

The 33-year-old appeared at Newcastle Crown Court by video link and denied all the charges against him. A trial is due to begin on 12 May.

Archie York died in the explosion, which ripped through several properties on the street at about 00:45 BST.

His funeral took place earlier at West Road Crematorium in Newcastle.

Northumbria Police Archie York is smiling as he wears a high visibility police vest. He is holding his right hand next to his forehead for a salute. He has short brown hair.Northumbria Police
Archie wanted to be a police officer when he grew up

Parents Katherine and Robbie said the family was "absolutely devastated" by his loss.

"Our cheeky son had a heart of gold, and being in a world without him is a nightmare we can never wake from," they said in a statement issued via police.

"Everyone loved Archie, and we would like to thank the whole community for their ongoing support."

His aunt, Abbie, described him as a "loving boy, with a cheeky little grin on his face all of the time".

Archie's parents and two-month-old brother were taken to hospital following the blast but have since been discharged.

Family handout Archie York. He is wearing a backwards-facing black baseball cap and is smiling at the camera. A tuft of his fringe is poking out from under the hat.Family handout
Archie York was described as a "loving boy"

Jason "Jay" Laws was later named as the second person to have died.

His brother, professional boxer Joseph Laws, described him as "the best dad in the world".

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