The mum of a two-year-old boy killed in a gas explosion caused by her "neighbour from hell" has said she has had "everything she ever wanted" taken away from her.
George Hinds died when Darren Greenham cut into a gas pipe, planning to sell it for scrap metal. This sent dangerous quantities of gas flowing into the home where he lived in Heysham, Lancashire.
Experts said there would have been an obvious sound and smell of gas, the volume of which was so great only a light switch would have been needed to ignite it, Lancs Live reports. The explosion destroyed two homes, including that of little George and his parents, Vicky Studholme and Stephen Hinds.
READ MORE: Gas blast that killed boy, 2, caused by 'neighbour from hell'
In an emotional victim statement read out in court, Vicky spoke of the heartbreak they have suffered and how they continue to do so. In a statement read out by Henry Riding QC, also appearing on behalf of the prosecution, Vicky said: "On May 15, 2021, I went to bed happy and content with my life. I had everything I ever wanted. A home and a loving family. 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.
"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.
"George was particularly close to my mum, she looked after him, she idolised him and he idolised her. Darren Greenham has stolen the opportunity for my mum and Stephen's mum and dad to be grandparents. I will never forgive him. Never. The house, the car, my possessions can all be replaced but George never can be. I can't describe in words how much I miss him.
"I am absolutely heartbroken. All because Darren Greenham decided to cut a gas pipe."
Greenham, who admitted manslaughter, abstracting gas, and damaging the gas meter inside the property, was today (October 5) sentenced to 15 years in prison.
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