A workman who falsely claimed to be a registered gas engineer has been fined £8,000 after installing gas appliances at an address in Hackney, East London.
The Heath and Safety Executive (HSE) prosecuted Robert Fordham of Tring Road, Long Marston in Tring for carrying out gas work while not being registered, and for pretending to be registered when he was not.

Fordham pleaded guilty to breaching two counts of Regulation 3(7) of the Gas Safety (Installation & Use) Regulations 1998 and to one count of Regulation 3(3) of the same act.

He was fined £8,000 and ordered to pay costs of £2,097.50 at the City of London Magistrates' Court.

The court heard that in January 2006, Fordham and a colleague replaced a gas boiler at the Castle Climbing Centre in Hackney. He sent an invoice to the climbing centre stating that he was registered with CORGI, the official gas registration body at the time.

When he did not arrive to carry out further work as planned, the centre contacted the register, who confirmed that he was not a qualified and registered gas engineer.

In September 2006, Fordham was also responsible for installing a new boiler at a house in Dorset Road, Mottingham. Again, he gave the owner an invoice stating that he was a registered gas fitter and even left a registration card with a CORGI number on it. However when the homeowner contacted CORGI, they confirmed that Fordham was not registered.

Fordham knew he was operating illegally in carrying out this type of work as he had previously tried to become registered and been refused.

'Robert Fordham deliberately misled people about his qualifications and registration to sell his services and make money,' said HSE Inspector, Darren Aldis.

'There is a very good reason for the registration scheme - to give customers the confidence that their engineer is competent.

'People carrying out work without being registered may be putting lives at risk, and HSE will not hesitate to prosecute those like Fordham who break the law.

'I urge anyone having gas work done to always check that the fitter is registered. And don't just take their word for it. Ask for their number, and check online or by phone and make sure.'

Gas engineers undertaking gas work must be a member of an organisation approved by HSE. The only body currently approved by HSE is Gas Safe Register. For more information or to check registered gas engineers in your area go to www.gassaferegister.co.uk or call 0800 408 5500.