A man has pleaded guilty to manslaughter following a gas explosion at a house in Heysham in which a toddler died.
Darren Greenham, 44, of Ambleside Avenue, Lancaster, was remanded back into custody to be sentenced at a later date after pleading guilty to the manslaughter of George Hinds.
He also pleaded guilty to theft from a meter/automatic machine, when appearing before Judge Robert Altham, The Honorary Recorder of Preston, on Wednesday.
The explosion occurred on Mallowdale Avenue, Heysham at around 2.40am on May 16, 2021.
Emergency services attended and found two houses collapsed with serious damage to a third property.
George, aged two years and 10 months, died as a result of the blast.
His parents Vicky and Steve were also injured, and taken to hospital for treatment and later discharged. They continue to be supported by specially trained police officers.
A criminal investigation was launched in the days following the explosion and detectives, assisted by gas experts, identified the cause of the explosion as a gas pipe which had been cut inside number 20 Mallowdale Avenue.
In October, police made four arrests in connection with the investigation.
Sharon Greenham, 52, of Ambleside Avenue, Lancaster, is also charged with manslaughter and theft from a meter/automatic machine and is set to stand trial at Preston Crown Court on October 4.


TV star Brian Cox pays a visit to Lancaster’s Police Museum
Morecambe Football Club confirm details of Fans’ Forum
Multiple people treated after carbon monoxide leak at Morecambe address
Heysham Power Stations alarm tests planned for Christmas Day and New Year's Day
LISTEN: St John's Hospice in Lancaster set for 40th anniversary year
Second earthquake in a month shakes Lancaster and Morecambe Bay
LISTEN: Lancaster Samaritans are there for you at Christmas
WATCH and LISTEN: Lancaster band's new music video for song written by Morecambe schoolchildren
Safer Pod launched to make Lancaster safer during ‘Winter of Action’
Police make two arrests after pedestrian critically injured in Morecambe hit and run
D-Day war hero, 101, to receive Freedom of City of Lancaster
LISTEN: Beyond Radio helps Santa deliver presents from annual Christmas Toy Appeal
Modern day mixtape to help fund reopening of Lancaster music facility
Police investigate Lancaster hate crime graffiti attacks
Lancaster man jailed again days after being released from prison
Royal Lancaster Infirmary ward reopens to visitors following norovirus outbreak
Future of Lancaster day care facility left unclear after council announcement
Police appeal to help find missing teenager with Lancaster links
Pedestrian critically injured in hit and run in Morecambe
Have you say on how £20m is to be spent in Morecambe’s West End

