Our analysis of this case explores Judge Justice Cotter’s sentencing remarks, taking into account sentencing guidelines and the various factors considered when determining Reece Galbraith’s final sentence.
In the early hours of 16 October 2024, an explosion caused by an illegal cannabis factory destroyed a block of twelve homes, killing seven-year-old Archie Yorke.
The explosion was caused by Jason Law, 35, who was also killed in the blast, and Reece Galbraith, 33, who were using butane gas to refine cannabis to create ‘shatter’.
Charged with two counts of manslaughter and the production and supply of cannabis, Galbraith was sentenced at Newcastle Crown Court on 14 May 2025 to fourteen years in prison.
Sentencing Guidelines for Manslaughter
When determining the offence category, Judge Justice Cotter considered Galbraith to have high culpability, placing him in Category B, as the deaths were caused during an unlawful act where Galbraith was aware there was a high risk of death or GBH.
The starting point for a single offence of manslaughter is twelve years. As Galbraith fell squarely within the offence category, Judge Cotter agreed this was an appropriate sentence to start with.
Depending on further aggravating factors, the sentence could extend to up to sixteen years imprisonment. Examples of aggravating factors include if the defendant has previous convictions or if the offence was committed while on bail.
Conversely, mitigation which could reduce the seriousness of the sentence includes demonstration of remorse, if the defendant has no previous convictions and if there was lack of premeditation.
At the time of the explosion, Galbraith was already under investigation on suspicion of the supply of cannabis, following his arrest six months prior.
After his arrest for this offence and before the explosion, Galbraith was sentenced to a one-year community order and rehabilitation activity requirement for the possession of cannabis and a prohibited weapon.
Aggravating and Mitigating Factors
The aggravating factors of the case were then established as follows:
- Two people had died as a result of the unlawful act.
- Said unlawful act (the production of drugs), was not an isolated, unplanned event.
- The collective harm and impact of the explosion on other invidividuals and families.
- The offences were committed while under investigation and while subject to a community order imposed by the court.
In addition to these extensive factors, Judge Cotter noted that Galbraith’s comments, recorded in both his Pre-Sentence Report and psychological report, did not reveal a full and honest acceptance of the magnitude of what he was responsible for.
Cotter did accept, however, that Galbraith’s barrister Richard Wright KC stated that he had remorse.
Mitigation was also considered, although not extensive, namely the injuries suffered by Galbraith as a result of the explosion as well as the psychological consequences.
Reduction in Sentence
Although Galbraith initially denied all the charges in January 2025, he later pleaded guilty to the supply of cannabis in February, and then guilty to both counts of manslaughter in April.
Entry of a guilty plea on the first occasion entitles an individual to a 33% reduction in sentence. As Galbraith pleaded guilty to the cannabis charge at a later stage, he was entitled to a 20% sentence reduction only in relation to this charge.
Galbraith’s later entry of a guilty plea to all charges entitled him to an overall 17.5% reduction in his sentence.
On balancing out the mitigating and aggravating factors, Judge Cotter established that a significant increase was required from the starting point.
Sentencing
Reece Galbraith was therefore sentenced as follows:
- Fourteen years for the manslaughter of seven-year-old Archie Yorke, less the 156 days already served on remand. This is the shortest-term sentence commensurate to the seriousness of the offence, given credit for his guilty plea.
- A concurrent sentence of ten years for the manslaughter of Jason Laws.
- A concurrent sentence of four years for the production of cannabis.
- A concurrent sentence of three years for the supply of cannabis.
