A man is facing jail after pleading guilty on Wednesday to the manslaughter of a two-year-old boy killed in a gas explosion in Oldham earlier this year.
Toddler Jamie Heaton died while he was watching television at his home in Buckley Street, Shaw, on June 26, in a blast which also wrecked several neighbouring properties.
Andrew Partington, 27, appearing at Manchester Crown Court by videolink, pleaded guilty to manslaughter and eight charges of destroying nearby homes.
Judge Andrew Gilbart ordered Partington to undergo a psychological assessment to determine how dangerous he is before sentencing at the High Court on February 11.
The judge warned Partington he faces a custodial sentence and remanded him in custody.
The unemployed father-of-six, who lived next door to the boy, cut the gas pipes in his house, allowing the property to fill up with gas overnight.
The explosion “obliterated” the terrace house rented by Partington who was seriously injured in the blast, the court heard.
The blast also left two neighbouring homes in ruins and damaged the rest of the row of houses and surrounding streets.
Neighbours searching the wreckage found Jamie’s body in the debris.
The boy’s parents held hands as they sat in the public gallery along with other family members during the brief hearing.
Partington, who is in custody at HMP Forest Bank in Salford, sat with his head lowered for most of the proceedings.
Man admits killing toddler in Oldham gas blast
