Following an investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), an unregistered gas fitter has been given a suspended prison sentence and ordered to do 180 hours of community work after carrying out illegal and dangerous work at two homes in Essex.

Anthony Hoskins from Essex fitted gas boilers at homes in Brentwood and Ingatestone in 2012 and 2013 despite not being a member of the Gas Safe Register.

His failings came to light after the Ingatestone householder complained to Gas Safe Register because Mr Hoskins had left the job unfinished. When Gas Safe Register investigated, they met the Brentwood householder who had also hired Mr Hoskins to install his boiler.

On 5 June Colchester Magistrates’ Court heard that one of the two boilers Mr Hoskins had installed was deemed to be ‘At Risk’ because the flue had not been correctly sealed.

A HSE investigation found that even a small movement of the flue could have resulted in combustion products leaking from the boiler flue, potentially exposing the occupants of the home to carbon monoxide.

Meanwhile, the other boiler had not been installed to current standards.

Mr Hoskins was given a six month prison sentence, suspended for 12 months, and ordered to carry out 180 hours of community work. He was also ordered to pay costs of £1,600 after pleading guilty to single breaches of the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998 and the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974.