Greenham, who suffered a serious head injury and lost most of the use of his right hand in the blast, pleaded guilty in August to manslaughter, damaging a gas meter and theft of gas. A couple accused of unlawfully killing their two-year-old neighbour in a gas explosion have denied manslaughter. Appearing in the dock at Preston Crown Court today, Darren Greenham, 44, was sentenced to 15 years after pleading guilty to George's manslaughter. Why didn't it happen to me and keep him playing here with his mum? Darren Greenham made the lives of his neighbours a "misery", George's parents paid tribute to their beautiful little angel, Emergency workers at the scene of a gas explosion, The explosion damaged a total of 55 properties, Greenham and partner Sharon were left badly wounded following the blast, Woman appears in court charged with manslaughter after boy, 2, killed in gas explosion, Couple charged with manslaughter after 'precious' boy, 2, killed in gas explosion, Toddler killed in gas explosion remembered with touching Paw Patrol themed convoy, Heartbroken dad asks why didnt it happen to me? after boy, 2, killed in gas explosion, First picture of couple pulled from rubble after gas explosion kills toddler. Emergency services had been called to the scene on Mallowdale Avenue at about 2.40am on Sunday, May 16. A third defendant, Paul Marsh, 54, from Heysham, also pleaded not guilty to damaging a gas meter and theft of gas. 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. This means that we may include adverts from us and third parties based on our knowledge of you. News you can trust since 1837. . Published: 07:28 GMT, 26 May 2021 | Updated: 09:48 GMT, 26 May 2021. I am absolutely heartbroken. Sharon and Darren Greenham were badly wounded and had to be pulled from the rubble. 'There is a lot of goodwill in Morecambe.'. George's mum Vicky Hinds was trapped for two hours before being pulled from the rubble. During that time, with a clear smell and sound of gas leaking, Greenham continued cutting pipes as neighbours slept on either side of his home.. Never ever have I felt so scared as in that moment of my life. DeSantis won't say he's running. "Darren Greenham is a truly selfish and wicked man whose main motivation in the build-up to the fatal explosion was financial greed. Speaking outside court, Det Ch Insp Jane Webb said: "Greenham is a purely selfish, self-centred, ignorant man whose blind stupidity of thinking that he could sell gas pipes to just make a bit of money was completely reckless with no regard for anybody's safety.". We would go and see him every day and hold him. A man has pleaded guilty to the manslaughter of a two-year-old who died in a gas explosion in Lancashire. 5. Something went wrong, please try again later. 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. George Hinds, two, was killed in the explosion in Heysham, Lancs, back in May. 'Nothing I can say or do will bring him back, I really wish I could. 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. As always you can unsubscribe at any time. In March 2021, the gas meter in the property was badly damaged and soon after copper pipes could be seen all over the house having been removed "seemingly at random". All because Darren Greenham decided to cut a gas pipe.". . . Today, Darren Greenham, 45, was sentenced to 15 years after pleading guilty to George's . Little George died in a gas explosion at his family home in Heysham, near Morecambe, in May 2021. We are no longer accepting comments on this article. As things stand, the case will be opened on October 4 and Darren Greenham will be sentenced on October 5. To describe Darren as the neighbour from hell would be a massive understatement. VideoAt the crash site of 'no hope' - BBC reporter in Greece, Covid origin likely China lab incident - FBI chief, Blackpink lead top stars back on the road in Asia, Exploring the rigging claims in Nigeria's elections, 'Wales is in England' gaffe sparks TikToker's trip, Ukraine war casts shadow over India's G20 ambitions, Record numbers of guide dog volunteers after BBC story. Four other people were also hurt when the two houses were destroyed and a third was damaged. He instead awarded 15% credit and rubbished a contention that serious injuries suffered by Greenham could be considered as mitigation. 'There are a lot of people who want to do good, but they don't know how to go about doing it, so by putting something in place, they always rise to the challenge. He lived his life without regard for the comfort of those who were unfortunate enough to live adjacent to him., Speaking outside court after the sentencing, Detective Chief Inspector Jane Webb said: Darren Greenham is a purely selfish, self-centred, ignorant man whose blind stupidity of thinking that he could sell gas pipes to just make a bit of money was completely reckless with no regard for anybodys safety. He was stripping the pipes to sell for 400 to buy a car, the court heard. For the first time, they had to borrow money and are still living in a caravan. Darren Greenham used an angle grinder to cut a pipe to sell for scrap metal Credit: PA. Four others, including his parents Vicky Studholme and Stephen Hinds, were rushed to hospital after the horror. His parents were also injured in the incident. The explosion completely destroyed GreenhamsLancashireCounty Council-owned property and caused severe damage to the two neighbouring terraced properties. The subsequent explosion killed George Hinds, whose family lived next door. She asked me to because it was always me that put him to bed at night. In a statement, George's mother Vicki Studholme said she felt "unsafe" in her home because of Greenham, a "neighbour from hell" who she said made threats of violence towards her, her husband and their son. Around 20 minutes later, a huge explosion rocked the street in Heysham, Lancashire . An investigation found Greenham was intent on selling the cut pipes for scrap metal and had boasted to witnesses that he would make 400 to buy a car. Two-year-old died in explosion after Darren Greenham cut pipe in Heysham home while intoxicated. Sharon Greenham, 51, and 44-year-old Darren Greenham pleaded not guilty at Preston Crown Court to the manslaughter of George Hinds in Heysham. Darren Greenham, 44, of Bowness Road, Lancaster, admitted manslaughter, criminal damage and theft at Preston Crown Court on Wednesday. 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. 4 October 2022, 0:51 pm. 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. VideoRecord numbers of guide dog volunteers after BBC story. Never. Read about our approach to external linking. The judge listed anti-social behaviour including frequent bonfires, which prompted complaints seven or eight times a year. Today, Darren Greenham, 45, was sentenced to 15 years after pleading guilty to Georges manslaughter. In a heartbreaking tribute shared on Facebook, his father Stephen wrote: 'Words can't describe what the last week has done to me and Vicki. 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.". We use your sign-up to provide content in the ways you've consented to and improve our understanding of you. In addition to the loss of their son, George's parents were left 'without anything' as their home, car and possessions were all destroyed. 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. Sharon Greenham, 52, also of Bowness Road, is also charged with manslaughter, criminal damage and theft and has denied the offences. He was given 15 years and two months for manslaughter and one month each for the other two charges, to run concurrently. Darren Greenham, 45, used . They denied damaging a gas meter between January and May 2021 and the theft of gas between March and May 2021. 'Even if you think the information you have is insignificant or irrelevant please tell us and we can be the judge.'. Both Marsh, of Banks Crescent, Heysham, and Sharon Greenham, now of Bowness Road, Lancaster, were bailed to appear at . He had plagued the lives of his neighbours for five years before he took that of little George Hinds in May last year. Never ever have I felt so scared as in that moment of my life.. 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. Darren and Sharon Greenham are fighting for their lives after the explosion that killed two-year-old neighbour George Hinds. Or by navigating to the user icon in the top right. Preston Crown Court heard how Greenhamcut a gas pipe in his own property with an angle grinder, planning to steal the pipework. The explosion, in Heysham, Lancashire, also left neighbours Stephen Hinds and Vicki Studholme injured and killed their two-year-old son George. I'm emotional', Moment notorious prisoner Charles Bronson dances naked outside cell, Notorious prisoner Charles Bronson speaks to son in new documentary, Steve Baker calls Northern Ireland deal a 'historic moment', Bakhmut in ruins as fighting in the Ukrainian city drags on, Travelers show off decked out RV and tours the world full time. His dad Stephen said his family had been "devastated" by Greenham, "just for selling . The force said it was now treating the probe as a criminal investigation and inquiries continue into how the pipe came to be cut. ", Mr Hinds told the court: "By Darren Greenham cutting a gas pipe to make a few quid I have lost my son, my absolute world.". At 5.15am Sunday morning my little boy was pronounced dead after two hours 15 minutes trying to bring him back. 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. As well as his abusive behaviour towards those living nearby, he would play loud music at night, use drills and hammers and unsociable hours and start out of control bonfires on a frequent basis. Two-year-old George Hinds died in the blast in May 2021, Emergency workers at the scene of the gas explosion last May, Two houses collapsed and a third was seriously damaged in the explosion. VideoRecord numbers of guide dog volunteers after BBC story. 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? On Tuesday, Mr Hinds told the court: By Darren Greenham cutting a gas pipe to make a few quid I have lost my son, my absolute world.. Why didnt it happen to me and keep him playing here with his mum? Sentencing him, Recorder of Preston Judge Robert Altham said he 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. Darren Greenham, 45, used an angle grinder to cut the . Four other people were hurt in the explosion in Heysham, Lancashire. 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. 04 October 2022. Darren Greenham, 45, was jailed for 15 years after causing a gas explosion which killed two-year-old George Hinds in Heysham, Lancashire. Toddler George Hinds died in the blast, which destroyed two homes and damaged another on Mallowdale Avenue on 16 May 2021. He said it has "placed a strain on their relationship, how could it not". Darren, 44, and Sharon Greenham, 50, remain in hospital after a gas explosion at their home in Heysham Police believe gas pipe was cut in their home causing a devastating explosion which destroyed . The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. The damage caused in the explosion affected 55 properties and the value of just those who answered police enquiries was in excess of half a million pounds. Read about our approach to external linking. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. 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This is George Arthur Hinds. Data returned from the Piano 'meterActive/meterExpired' callback event. The comments below have been moderated in advance. He said: "He had been removing every bit of pipework he could for weeks before, seemingly because he knew he was going and he wanted to make what he could from selling it as scrap.". George Hinds died after next-door neighbour Darren Greenham cut a copper pipe in his own home in Heysham, Lancashire, in the early hours of May 16 last year, as part of an attempt to sell scrap metal. Alternatively contact independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111. 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. A child's toy covered in debris was seen lying amid the wrecked homes' rubble after the two couples were pulled from the ruins. Darren Greenham, 45, was jailed for 15 years for causing the death of 2-year-old George Hinds 2-year-old George Hinds was killed when an explosion tore through his council house in Heysham, Lancashire after 45-year-old Darren Greenham cut the gas pipes in the hope of selling the copper piping for scrap, Preston Crown Court heard. I will never forgive him. The judge said she and husband Stephen Hinds are still living in a caravan and had to borrow money after losing their home and all their possessions. 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. Emergency services were called to the scene in Mallowdale Avenue, Heysham, Lancashire , in the . In a statement read to the court when the sentencing hearing started on Wednesday, Ms Studholme said: After the explosion, being trapped in the rubble was the most scared I had ever been in my life. It was caused by Greenham cutting live gas pipes and left George dead and several others hurt. Shockingly, this included calling George a little ginger c***. She added: "After the explosion, being trapped in the rubble was the most scared I had ever been in my life. 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. . 'The tears haven't stopped. A man has been sentenced today for causing the death of toddler George Arthur Hinds who tragically died in a gas explosion at his family home in Heysham. ', Pictured: the ruins of two terraced houses on Mallowdale Avenue in Heysham completely destroyed by an explosion, The scene on the following morning at Mallowdale Avenue, Heysham after a gas explosion completely destroyed both houses, Pictured: The homes in Heysham (pictured in September 2016) where married couple Darren and Sharon Greenham lived (right) and Stephen Hinds and Vicki Studholme lived with their two-year-old son George (left) in Mallowdale Avenue, Huge urgent police search for missing baby of Constance Marten, Chaos at schools after pupils protest over uniform and toilet policies, TikTok video shows Unity Academy Blackpool pupils protesting, Mallorca sees significant snowfall in unseasonable freak weather, Police search allotment sheds for Constance Marten's missing baby, Police: Urgent search for Constance Marten's missing baby, Steve Baker: Brexit 'cost me my mental health. The views expressed in the contents above are those of our users and do not necessarily reflect the views of MailOnline. 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. He had plagued the lives of his neighbours for five years before he took that of little George Hinds in May last year. She then 'had to cope with the mounting dread of what happened to her son'. Darren Greenham was handed 15 years in prison after pleading guilty to manslaughter following the gas explosion which killed George Hinds. Video, At the crash site of 'no hope' - BBC reporter in Greece, Record numbers of guide dog volunteers after BBC story. Detectives, assisted by gas experts, have been carrying out a fingertip search of the scene following the explosion. 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