Neighbour from hell killed beautiful boy, 2, while trying 'to make a few quid'

manchestereveningnews.co.uk:

A "neighbour from hell" caused a gas explosion which resulted in the death of a two-year-old boy, a court heard. Darren Greenham, 45, used an angle grinder to cut a gas pipe which he intended to sell for scrap metal in the early hours of May 16 last year.

The action caused a huge explosion, directly killing George Hinds, whose family lived in the neighbouring property in Mallowdale Avenue, Heysham, Lancashire.

George's father, Stephen Hinds, told Preston Crown Court that Greenham made the lives of his neighbours a "misery". Greenham, who was dependent on alcohol and drugs, would also play loud music until the early hours and hurl insults at George. Read more: Referee left with 'significant injuries' after being attacked on pitch during amateur football match Speaking to the court, Mr Hinds said: "By Darren Greenham cutting a gas pipe to make a few quid I have lost my son, my absolute world.” He added: "It makes my blood boil now, I always did the right thing and reported it to the council and the police, nothing was ever done.” In a statement, George's mother, Vicki Studholme, said Greenham made her feel "unsafe" in her own home, referring to him as a "neighbour from hell" who would make threats of violence towards her and her family.

She said: "I do feel that although we reported this countless times we have been let down by the council and the police, and the death of my beautiful baby boy could have been avoided.” She added: “After the explosion, being trapped in the rubble was the most scared I had ever been in my life.