A man who falsely claimed to be a registered gas engineer has been sentenced for illegally installing gas appliances at addresses in York.
Bennett Morley of Cherry Paddock, Haxby, York was prosecuted by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) for five offences under Gas Safety legislation after complaints by householders.
York Magistrates Court heard Mr Morley carried out gas work while not being competent to do so and falsely claimed to be officially registered.
The court was told the offences involved installation of gas boilers in two properties in York in late 2008 and again in summer 2009. The work was so poor that complaints were made by householders and remedial work had to be carried out by a registered gas engineer.
Mr Morley also passed himself off as a registered gas engineer by completing installation paperwork with a false identity number and advising customers that he was registered with them.
Magistrates heard that Mr Morley had worked for several years with a gas installation company but had been operating as a sole trader when the offences took place.
Mr Morley pleaded guilty to all the offences and was fined £500 with £500 toward costs. He was also referred to a debt counselor.