An unregistered gas fitter from Westbury in Wiltshire has been prosecuted for illegal and unsafe gas work.
Ken Pirie, who had falsely claimed to be on the Gas Safe Register, appeared before North Wiltshire Magistrates on 16 April in relation to work on a gas boiler at an address in Oldfield Park, Westbury, on 15 March 2012.

He claimed to be qualified to carry out work on gas appliances. However, an investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), which brought the prosecution, established that he wasn't registered with Gas Safe - a legal requirement for anyone undertaking such work.

The court heard that an investigator from Gas Safe Register went to the domestic proerty on 11 June 2012 following complaints from the householder. They discovered work carried out on the boiler breached specifications for gas appliances and could be classed as unsafe.

Mr Pirie pleaded guilty to three separate breaches of the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998. He was sentenced to 80 hours unpaid community service and was also ordered to pay £450 compensation to the householder and £1,000 towards prosecution costs.