A MAN has been sentenced for causing the death of toddler George Arthur Hinds, who died in a gas explosion at his family home in Heysham.

 Appearing in the dock at Preston Crown Court today (October 5), Darren Greenham, 44, was sentenced to 15 years after pleading guilty to George’s manslaughter.

The Westmorland Gazette: Darren Greenham was sentenced to 15 years for manslaughterDarren Greenham was sentenced to 15 years for manslaughter (Image: Lancashire Constabulary)

Emergency services were called to reports of an explosion on Mallowdale Avenue in Heysham at about 2.40 am on May 16, 2021.

When they arrived they found two houses collapsed, with serious damage to a third property.

Tragically George, aged just two years and 10 months, died as a result of the blast. The explosion was so large that his parents and neighbours also suffered injuries from the blast.

The Westmorland Gazette: George Arthur Hinds died in the explosion. His father said that he 'wished it was him' George Arthur Hinds died in the explosion. His father said that he 'wished it was him' (Image: Lancashire Constabulary)

The cause of the explosion was a cut gas pipe. 

Investigations showed that Greenham was responsible for cutting the pipe with an angle grinder. The gas meter was also found to have been bypassed in order to steal gas.

READ MORE: Jail for man who threatened to 'petrol bomb' Kendal hostel

He told one witness four weeks before the explosion that he believed he would make £400 from cutting the metal and siphoning the gas.

Having initially denied any wrongdoing, Greenham pleaded guilty to all three counts in August.

The Westmorland Gazette: The aftermath of the horrendous gas explosion at Mallowdale AvenueThe aftermath of the horrendous gas explosion at Mallowdale Avenue (Image: Lancashire Constabulary)

In his victim impact statement George’s dad Stephen Hinds said: “By Darren Greenham cutting a gas pipe to make a few quid I have lost my son, my absolute world, I am struggling to put into words how I relive the nightmare of the early hours of the 16th May 2021 every day.” 

He continued: “I regret laying in that rubble screaming for help and being pulled out alive. I wish it would have been me that died.

“I could not bring myself to go in the ambulance with George and the guilt I feel about this is overwhelming. I honestly thought I was having a nightmare. I remember thumping my head trying to wake myself up.”

In her victim impact statement, George’s mum Vicki said: “Walking into that mortuary and seeing my dead son laying in front of me will be a memory that will live with me forever. I was his ‘mummy’ and my job was to look after him – I had failed!"

During bail, Darren Greenham threatened to firebomb Town View Fields Hostel in Kendal.