"Neighbour From Hell" Darren Greenham Jailed For Manslaughter After Gas Explosion Killed Toddler
Darren Greenham, who was described as a "neighbour from hell" has been jailed for manslaughter after causing an explosion that killed a two-year-old boy in Heysham.
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.
The court heard how at the time of cutting the pipes, Greenham was under the influence of drugs and alcohol.
Greenham was handed a 15-year prison sentence for manslaughter, damaging a gas meter, and theft of gas.
The explosion that took place on May 16, at around 2.36am, destroyed Greenham's property and damaged 55 others.
The victims' father held a Paw Patrol toy in memory of his son as he watched the sentencing from the public gallery.
Vicki Studholme, George's mother, who had previously referred to Greenham as the "neighbour from hell", was also in attendance at the sentencing hearing.
Mr Hinds said: "By Darren Greenham cutting a gas pipe to make a few quid I have lost my son, my absolute world."
Ms Studholme said: "After the explosion, being trapped in the rubble was the most scared I had ever been in my life.
"This was until I arrived at the hospital to be told that George had died. "Never ever have I felt so scared as in that moment of my life."
The family were praised for their dignity by Judge Robert Altham. The judge said: "Mr Greenham was a selfish and disruptive neighbour. He lived his life without regard for the comfort of those who were unfortunate enough to live adjacent to him."
Greenham was facing eviction proceedings on his property and was hoping to make money from the pipes he cut, according to the prosecution.
The court heard how he would regularly play loud music and taunt his neighbours and was dependent on drugs and alcohol.
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