Austin Reed Jailed for 3½ Years Over Deadly Gas Leak Madness
Austin Reed, 43, from Leeds, is behind bars after sparking a terrifying gas leak drama that put lives at risk. The Elms resident was sentenced to 3½ years for reckless criminal damage following a mass evacuation in Upper Wortley.
Hostage Horror on Roderick Street
- On 21 October 2023, Reed locked himself inside a house with a woman and three children.
- He threatened to blow the property up after a strong smell of gas was reported.
- The woman and children managed to escape, but Reed barricaded himself inside and refused to come out.
- Emergency services – police, fire crews, ambulance, and gas experts – declared a major incident.
- Neighbours were urgently evacuated as the situation escalated.
Negotiators tried to make contact but Reed went silent. Police forced their way in just before 11:30pm, arresting him and rushing him to hospital before taking him into custody.
Deliberate Sabotage Behind Dangerous Gas Leak
A gas engineer confirmed Reed deliberately damaged a boiler, triggering the hazardous leak.
“Thankfully this incident was resolved safely, but Reed’s actions put himself and others, including children, in serious danger,” said Police Sergeant Clementine Brown from Leeds Domestic Abuse Team. “A large-scale emergency operation caused huge disruption locally. I hope those affected find some comfort in the custodial sentence handed down to Reed.”
