The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has prosecuted an unregistered gas fitter who illegally serviced a boiler at a home in Honiton that was later classed as ‘immediately dangerous’.

David Dawes serviced the boiler on a number of occasions after it was fitted in 2005, However, the last service he carried out, in November 2013, happened seven months after his registration with Gas Safe had lapsed, which meant that he wasn’t permitted  to carry out gas work.

He was prosecuted on 27 January after his handiwork was investigated by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE).

Exeter Magistrates’ Court heard that Mr Dawes’ lapsed registration came to light when the homeowner asked a properly registered gas engineer to service the boiler. He found a number of defects with the boiler flue and classed it as ‘immediately dangerous’.

Mr Dawes pleaded guilty to three breaches of gas safety regulations. He was fined £1,600 and ordered to pay £418 in costs.