A police investigation found the cause of the explosion to be a gas pipe which had been cut. Emergency services had been called to the scene on Mallowdale Avenue at about 2.40am on Sunday, May 16. This resulted in an explosion, destroying several homes, causing thousands of pounds worth of damage, and killing an innocent toddler. This website and associated newspapers adhere to the Independent Press Standards Organisation's These adverts enable local businesses to get in front of their target audience the local community. Our focus now is on trying to establish how and why the pipe inside No. He lived without regard for the comfort of those who were unfortunate enough to live adjacent to him.". Part of the Daily Mail, The Mail on Sunday & Metro Media Group. Sign up. Hawara: 'What happened was horrific and barbaric'. . "Darren Greenham is a truly selfish and wicked man whose main motivation in the build-up to the fatal explosion was financial greed. Sharon Greenham, 51, and Darren Greenham, 44, entered not guilty pleas to a charge of manslaughter over the death . A third defendant, Paul Marsh, 54, from Heysham, also pleaded not guilty to damaging a gas meter and theft of gas. The court heard that the explosion at 2.36am destroyed the Lancashire County Council-owned property Greenham lived in and severely damaged the two neighbouring terraced houses. One on occasion, the fire spread to a border fence and another time smoke could be seen two miles away. She said: 'Although we don't know any of the people personally, we don't need to know someone's name or face to help them. Lancashire Police have opened a criminal probe int the case after officers identified the cause of the explosion as a cut gas pipe. 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. Little George died in a gas explosion at his family home in Heysham, near Morecambe, in May 2021. . Sentencing, Recorder Robert Altham said: Greenham was a selfish and disruptive neighbour. Georges heartbroken father has reportedly posted a filmed tribute on Facebook of his son reading a book about animals, next to the caption: My little boy. The judge listed anti-social behaviour including frequent bonfires, which prompted complaints seven or eight times a year. Darren Greenham was handed 15 years in prison after pleading guilty to manslaughter following the gas explosion which killed George Hinds. The blast was likely to have happened 20 to 40 minutes after they were cut and there would have been a strong smell of gas and an audible noise before that, the report said. 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 drugs in the early hours of the morning. Her husband Darren Greenham, 44, is also charged with the same offence; . The court heard how at the time of cutting the pipes, Greenham was under the influence of drugs and alcohol. I can't describe in words how much I miss him. 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 . 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. George's mum was trapped for two hours before she was pulled from the rubble. Video, Record numbers of guide dog volunteers after BBC story, Prince Andrew offered Frogmore Cottage - reports, Bieber cancels remaining Justice world tour dates, Beer and wine sales in Canada fall to all-time low, Trump lashes out at Murdoch over vote fraud case, Man survives 31 days in jungle by eating worms, Eli Lilly caps monthly insulin costs in US at $35, Ed Sheeran says wife developed tumour in pregnancy, China and Belarus call for peace in Ukraine. Pupils told inspectors that leaders do not do enough to safeguard them in school. Ms Studholme said: "After the explosion, being trapped in the rubble was the most scared I had ever been in my life. Darren Greenham used an angle grinder to cut the pipe at his home on Mallowdale Avenue in Heysham, Lancashire, in May 2021. "This was until I arrived at the hospital to be told that George had died. . Hawara: 'What happened was horrific and barbaric'. Parents Vicky Studholme, 42, and Stephen Hinds, 41, also survived the blast at their Heysham, Lancashire home in the early hours of May 16 that cost their beloved son's life. Josh Halliday North of England correspondent. 20 came to be cut and those enquiries are complex and lengthy. Read about our approach to external linking. He was stripping the pipes to sell for 400 to buy a car, the court heard. A married couple appeared in court this morning to deny unlawfully killing their two-year-old neighbour in a gas explosion. Two-year-old George Hinds died in a gas explosion after his next-door neighbour Darren Greenham cut a copper pipe in his own home in Heysham, Lancashire, on May 16 last year. 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. She said: "I do feel that although we reported this countless times we have been let down by the council and the police, and the death of my beautiful baby boy could have been avoided.". 'Our focus now is on trying to establish how and why the pipe inside No. A Gannett Company. "I am satisfied that he has been convicted of the serious offence of manslaughter and that Georges family have some sense of closure knowing that the case against the man responsible for his death has concluded.. VideoRecord numbers of guide dog volunteers after BBC story. His family lived in the neighbouring property in Mallowdale Avenue, Heysham, Lancashire. ', Stephen later shared a video of him reading his son a book about animals with the caption: 'My little boy. It was caused by Greenham cutting live gas pipes and left George dead and several others hurt. The judge rejected the defences request for 25% credit, noting the guilty pleas came six month after the first hearing and six weeks before the trial was due to begin. Joanna White, Senior Crown Prosecutor with CPS North West said: This was a tragic case where a young boy lost his life through the reckless and dangerous actions of Darren Greenham, who cut the pipes for financial gain. As always you can unsubscribe at any time. Sharon and Darren Greenham were badly wounded in the blast that killed two-year-old George Hinds. A third defendant, Paul Marsh, 54, from Heysham, also pleaded not guilty to damaging a gas meter and theft of gas. Mr Hinds said: "By Darren Greenham cutting a gas pipe to make a few quid I have lost my son, my absolute world.". At the crash site of 'no hope' - BBC reporter in Greece. He has been remanded in custody and will be sentenced on 4 October. He was forced to listen as Recorder Robert Altham outlined his dangerous behaviour which led to the death of much loved toddler George Hinds. A couple accused of unlawfully killing their two-year-old neighbour in a gas explosion have denied manslaughter. Darren Greenham and his wife Sharon Greenham (Facebook/ Darren Greenham) According to the outlet, locals have described the impact to be "like a bomb going off" and dirt and debris covered . The victims' father held a Paw Patrol toy in memory of his son as he watched the sentencing from the public gallery. 'The tears haven't stopped. Emergency services were called to the scene in Mallowdale Avenue, Heysham, Lancashire , in the . Lancashire Constabulary were called to reports of an explosion on Mallowdale Avenue, Heysham, at around 2.40am on May 16 2021. . 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It is not know what caused the ignition, but the quantity of gas was so great that only a light switch would have been needed. "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. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Recorder Robert Altham said it was a miracle no-one else was killed, adding the defendant was likely unaware of the obvious smell and sound of the gas leak due to being intoxicated. 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George's parents were taken to hospital but have since been discharged and are recovering as they reel from . This is George Arthur Hinds. 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", DWP state pension contributions will 'still be considered' after looming Government deadline, Phone lines have been busy as people have taken action to top up their contributions, Preston thug strangled his own cousin before his mum punched him back, John Wilcock then threatened to kill her if she didn't retract her statement, 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? Enquiries are ongoing into how and why the pipe came to be severed, investigators said this week. Comments have been closed on this article. Detective Chief Insp Jane Webb, of the Force Major Investigation Team, said: 'My thoughts first and foremost remain with George's family and loved ones at this time, as well as those others affected by this incident. 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. Timothy Cray KC, prosecuting, said that at the time of the explosion the council was considering taking eviction proceedings after a number of complaints about Greenham's behaviour. They say they now identified the cause of the explosion as a gas pipe which had been cut inside the home. George Hinds was two-years-old when he died in the blast in May 2021. Darren Greenham, 45, was jailed for 15 years after causing a gas explosion which killed two-year-old George Hinds in Heysham, Lancashire. George Hinds, two, was killed in the explosion in Heysham, Lancs, back in May. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. The court heard the explosion, which happened at about 02:35 BST on 16 May 2021, destroyed the council-owned property where Greenham lived. Darren Greenham previously admitted killing two-year-old George Hinds in a gas explosion in Lancashire; . The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. The views expressed in the contents above are those of our users and do not necessarily reflect the views of MailOnline. Little did I know this would be taken away by Darren Greenham who irresponsibly decided to cut a gas pipe and cause a gas explosion. Darren Greenham, 45, was jailed for 15 years after causing a gas explosion which killed two-year-old George Hinds in Heysham, Lancashire. 'Enquiries are ongoing into how and why the pipe came to be severed enquiries which are likely to take some considerable time. Darren Greenham has stolen the opportunity for my mum and Stephen's mum and dad to be grandparents. No sentence will ever make up for the loss of Georges life or reflect the pain and misery Greenham has caused. SIGN UP for our newsletter : Get the latest stories delivered straight to you 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. After the explosion, being trapped in the rubble was the most scared I had ever been in my life. 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. 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. All because Darren Greenham decided to cut a gas pipe.". . George's parents, who live in neighbouring 18 Mallowdale Avenue, have since been discharged from hospital. As things stand, the case will be opened on October 4 and Darren Greenham will be sentenced on October 5. An incredible amount of work has been done at the scene in a relatively short space of time and as well as identifying the source of the explosion we have also managed to recover some items of Georges, which I know means a lot to his parents. The tears havent stopped. The gas meter was also found to have been bypassed so he could steal gas. He lived his life without regard for the comfort of those who were unfortunate enough to live adjacent to him.. "We have no words to describe how we feel and just want time to ourselves to come to terms with what has happened. Credit: Lancashire Police George's father Stephen Hinds . "Never ever have I felt so scared as in that moment of my life. The subsequent explosion killed George Hinds, whose family lived next . "It's his actions that have caused the death of George which are really unforgivable," she added. Officers found two houses collapsed, and a third property had suffered 'serious damage'. The court heard Greenham, who suffered a serious head injury and lost much of the use of his right hand in the explosion, had been facing eviction proceedings when he cut the pipes in the property. Greenham was facing eviction proceedings on his property and was hoping to make money from the pipes he cut, according to the prosecution. contact the editor here. At around 2.30am on May 16 last year, things escalated into scenes likened to a horror movie as a huge explosion occurred at his home and destroyed each of those either side of him. The judge said: "Mr Greenham was a selfish and disruptive neighbour. A 52-year-old woman from Lancashire will face a trial over an allegation of theft of gas at a later date. Darren Greenham, 45, used an angle grinder to cut the . 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. Oblivious to what experts said would have been an obvious smell and sound of gas, he continued cutting even after causing the leak which led to the explosion. 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. Following his sentencing, DCI Jane Webb, of the Force Major Investigation Team, said: Greenham is a truly selfish and wicked man whose main motivation in the build-up to the fatal explosion was financial greed. Darren Greenham, 45, used . Why not follow BBC North West on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram? It is important that we continue to promote these adverts as our local businesses need as much support as possible during these challenging times. 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.". "This was until I arrived at the hospital to be told that George had died. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Sentencing him for manslaughter at Preston Crown Court on Wednesday, Recorder of Preston Judge Robert Altham said: Mr Greenham was a selfish and disruptive neighbour. Two other people a man aged 44 and a woman aged 50 - were taken to hospital with injuries described as critical following the blast. He was given 15 years and two months for manslaughter and one month each for the other two charges, to run concurrently. Sharon Greenham, 51, and Darren Greenham, 44, pleaded not guilty at . We would read a bedtime story before we left. George was only two years and 10 months old when he tragically died in a gas explosion at his family home in Heysham, in May 2021. pic.twitter.com/b6oh5NoaDe. It left two neighbouring terraced houses severely damaged and a further 55 properties in the area were also affected. Darren Greenham, 45, had cut a pipe to 'make a bit of money'. Darren Greenham, 45, used an angle grinder to cut the pipe in the early hours of May 16 last year, causing the huge explosion which killed George Hinds, whose family lived in the neighbouring property in Mallowdale Avenue, Heysham, Lancashire, Preston Crown Court heard on Tuesday. A home and a loving family. 20, Mallowdale Avenue. Never. 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