Man jailed after causing gas leak that led to evacuation of homes in Leeds
He'll spend over three years in prison after admitting to "recklessly endangering life"
A Leeds man has been jailed for three years six months for causing a gas leak, which led to homes being evacuated.
43 year old Austin Reed of The Elms admitted a charge of criminal damage by recklessly endangering life at Leeds Crown Court.
The incident occurred on October 21 2023, when emergency services received a call reporting that Reed had locked himself, a woman, and three children inside an address on Roderick Street.
Witnesses reported a smell of gas and claimed Reed had threatened to blow up the house.
When police arrived, the woman and children had been freed with the help of a family member, but Reed remained inside the property, having barricaded himself.
Staff from West Yorkshire Police, West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service, Yorkshire Ambulance Service, and Northern Gas Network were deployed to the scene, with nearby homes being evacuated.
Authorities forced entry into the property due to increased concern for Reed’s welfare. He was taken to hospital for checks before being arrested.
A gas engineer later confirmed that damage to the property’s boiler had caused the gas leak, and it was determined the damage had been deliberate.
Speaking about the case, Police Sergeant Clementine Brown of West Yorkshire Police said: “Thankfully this incident was resolved safely, but Reed’s actions that evening put himself and others, including children, in serious danger.
“A large-scale emergency services operation was put in place with significant disruption caused to those living in the area.
“I hope those affected are reassured by the custodial sentence that Reed has been given.”