Neighbour admits killing boy, two, in gas explosion after row with partner

Andrew Partington pleads guilty to manslaughter of Jamie Heaton, who died in blast defendant caused by cutting gas pipes
Oldham explosion
Destroyed houses in Buckley Street, Oldham: two-year-old Jamie Heaton was killed and neighbour Anthony Partington suffered serious burns. Photograph: Dave Thompson/PA

A man has admitted killing a two-year-old boy in a massive gas explosion after a row with his partner.

Andrew Partington, 27, an unemployed father of six, cut the pipes at his terraced house in Shaw, Oldham, filling the property with gas which caused the blast the following morning.

Jamie Heaton
Jamie Heaton was killed in the blast. Photograph: Greater Manchester police/PA

Next door Jamie Heaton, described by his family as a "happy, loving little boy", had been watching television in the lounge of the house next door, with his father, Kenny, out at work and while his mother, Michelle, was elsewhere in the property.

The explosion "obliterated" Partington's rented home and two neighbouring homes. Other properties on the street were also damaged.


Partington, who was seriously injured in the incident, appeared at Manchester crown court by videolink from prison on Wednesday.

He pleaded guilty to the manslaughter of Jamie and eight charges of destroying neighbouring houses in the blast on 26 June.

The boy's parents sat in the public gallery holding hands for the brief hearing. They were flanked by police officers and other members of their family as Partington pleaded guilty.

Partington spoke only to confirm his name and that he could hear proceedings by videolink from HMP Forest Bank in Salford. He kept his head down for most of the hearing.

He was asked to enter his pleas to the charges and answered guilty to the single count of manslaughter and eight charges of destroying property.

Judge Andrew Gilbart QC remanded Partington in custody until 11 February when he will be sentenced.

The damage to the houses and surrounding streets has been estimated at about £1.2m.

Jamie lived at number 11 Buckley Street with his parents, next door neighbours to

Partington and his partner, Tania Williams, and their children.

Partington and Williams had a stormy relationship, according to locals, who said police had been called to one fight.

Neighbours said there had been another row on the night before the blast and Partington had been drinking alcohol before he went inside his house and cut the gas pipes. The next day, at about 11.20am, the gas ignited.

Partington survived and was rescued by the emergency services. He spent weeks in hospital and still suffers from the injuries he sustained.