Oldham Blast Man Jailed

19 February 2013, 12:47 | Updated: 30 March 2016, 13:50

A man who blew up his house in a massive gas blast that killed his two-year-old next-door neighbour was jailed for ten years today.

The explosion obliterated the rented home of Andrew Partington and neighbouring terrace houses in Shaw, Oldham, last June.

The body of toddler Jamie Heaton was found in the wreckage.

28 year old Partington, pleaded guilty at Manchester Crown Court in November to manslaughter and eight charges of destroying houses in the blast in Buckley Street on June 26.

Jamie had been watching television in the lounge while his mother was doing housework and his father was out at work.

He lived at 11 Buckley Street with his parents Kenny and Michelle, next door to Partington at number 9 and his partner, Tania Williams, and their children.

Partington and Ms Williams had a stormy relationship, according to locals, with police being called to one bust-up.

Neighbours said there was another row the night before the blast and Partington had been drinking.

The next day, at around 11.20am, the gas ignited.

Partington survived and was rescued by the emergency services.

He spent weeks in hospital and still suffers from injuries sustained in the blast.

The cost of damage to the houses and surrounding streets has been estimated at around #1.2 million.