A two-year-old boy died in a huge explosion because his “reckless” neighbor wanted to sell the copper pipes in his council house for £400.
George Hinds died when Darren Greenham’s drink and drug fueled late DIY night sent dangerous amounts of gas leaking into the home where he lived in Mallowdale Avenue, Heysham. Experts said there should have been an obvious sound and smell of gas, the volume of which was so great that a light switch was needed to ignite it.
Tragically, it caught fire and both Greenham’s house and the neighboring house on either side were completely destroyed. About 55 properties were damaged, with six homes evacuated and some neighbors forced to move out for more than a year. Video surveillance of the explosion was played in court and showed a huge flash followed by several seconds of falling debris. Photos of the aftermath show the extent of the damage.
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But most tragic of all, Paw Patrol-loving toddler George died in the explosion and had to be extricated from the wreckage, alarming emergency crews who arrived in the early hours of May 16, 2021, and devastating the lives of others. to his parents Vicky Studholme and Stephen Hinds. In victim impact statements read at Preston Crown Court, they spoke of their world being taken away in the blink of an eye and the ongoing pain and trauma which has caused flashbacks, depression and suicidal thoughts.
Timothy Kray, prosecuting, explained that Greenham, 45, had been considered a nightmare neighbor for several years. Through a combination of loud music, late night banging and punching and a rotating wave of drunken and drugged patrons, he has blighted the lives of his neighbors Martin and Angela Evans for five years and the Hinds family since they arrived on the street in 2019.
The aftermath of the explosion caused by Darren Greenham (Image: PA)
He also lit frequent gasoline-fueled fires that got out of control and were regularly offensive to those living next door. Shockingly, Stephen Hinds’ statement revealed this abuse extended to Greenham, calling two-year-old George a “gingerly little s***”.
A long list of complaints were made to Lancashire County Council and Lancashire Police, the former of which finally began the process of eviction at the time of the explosion. Realizing this likely outcome, Greenham began stripping the property of all value and hoped to sell the house’s copper pipes to raise money to buy a car.
Mr Kray said Greenham used to sell copper to scrap dealers until a friend saw pipes in his garden. Referring to another friend, Mr Kray said: “He toured about four weeks before the explosion. Darren Greenham told him that the gas pipes were broken and no gas was flowing through them. He said if he scrapped them he could get about £400 for them. He said he wanted to buy a car.
Greenham previously pleaded guilty to manslaughter, gas extraction and damaging the property’s gas meter. Entering them, he presented a reasonable plea which read: “I cut the gas pipes believing that the gas supply was stopped. I accept that my recklessness caused the explosion. At the time of the explosion I was drunk and on drugs as I had been addicted for years. I was the person who arranged the diversion of the gas.”
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Paul Marsh, 54, from Heysham, had also previously appeared in court but has since died of natural causes. The court heard that Marsh visited the home that night and also damaged the meter on his own property.
In emotional victim impact statements read to the court, George’s parents spoke of the heartache they had endured and how they continue to do so. In a statement read by Henry Riding QC, who also appeared for the prosecution, Vicky said: “On 15 May 2021 I went to bed happy and content with my life. I had everything I ever wanted. A home and a loving family Little did I know that this would be taken away by Darren Greenham who irresponsibly decided to cut a gas pipe and cause a gas explosion.
“Being trapped in the rubble after the explosion was the scariest I’ve ever felt in my life. That was until I arrived at the hospital to be told that George had died. I have never felt so scared as at this point in my life.
“George was particularly close to my mother, she looked after him, she idolized him and he her. Darren Greenham stole my mum and dad and Stephen’s dad to be grandparents. I will never forgive him. Never.]my house, my car, my belongings can be replaced, but George can never be. I can’t put into words how much I miss you.
“I am absolutely heartbroken. All because Darren Greenham decided to cut a gas pipe.”
When Stephen approached the witness stand to give his evidence, he placed the Paw Patrol pillow on it, which was one of George’s few possessions that could be salvaged from the wreckage. He talked about feeling suicidal and wanting to be with George, the pain of visiting him at the morgue and reading a bedtime story, and the horror of having to say goodbye for the last time.
Emergency workers at the scene of the gas explosion that killed two-year-old George Hinds (Image: PA Wire/PA Images)
Stephen said: “I’m sorry I was lying in that rubble screaming for help and being pulled out alive. I wish I had died and George could be with his mother doing the magical things that all three year olds are supposed to do. park, swimming, opening his birthday presents and seeing Santa.”
Peter Glenser KC, defending, said: “For the first time in many years he is sober and drug free. With that sobriety came a clarity and insight that he hadn’t had in all those years of drinking and drugs. This clarity allowed him to see for the first time what terrible damage he had caused.
Mr Glensor said Greenham was genuinely sorry and guilt-ridden for his actions. He claimed that despite the smell and noise of the gas leak, Greenham did believe the power had been turned off, whether it was by himself or by Marsh. Otherwise, he claims, he would not have remained on his own property during the 20 to 42 minutes that elapsed between the gas being shut off and the explosion.
Honorary Recorder Robert Altham will deliver the sentence tomorrow.
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