An unregistered gas fitter from Worcestershire has been prosecuted for carrying out illegal and dangerous gas work.
Self-employed Mark Crake, of Worcester Road, Malvern was prosecuted by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) after he left a resident with a newly-installed gas hob leaking gas.
Mr Crake fitted the gas hob on 29 July 2011, despite not being registered. He failed to carry out a pressure test to confirm there were no leaks and did not tighten the connections to the gas hob.
Earlier this week Worcester Magistrates heard that the home owner smelled gas after returning home in the evening and went to bed with windows open. In the morning, she contacted the National Grid and was advised to immediately turn off the gas supply at the inlet valve.
National Grid sent a First Call Operative to the house, who confirmed there was a significant leak from the gas hob, and isolated and turned off the supply. Mr Crake also returned some days later to tighten the connections to the gas hob.
An investigation by Gas Safe Register confirmed the boiler had not been fitted correctly and to current standards.
Mr Crake pleaded guilty to a breach of Regulation 3 (7) and Regulation 3 (3) of the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998 as well as a breach of Section 3 (2) of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974. He was sentenced to four months in prison for each of the three offences with the sentences to run concurrently, but suspended for 12 months, alongside 250 hours of unpaid community work. He was ordered to pay £3,500 towards costs.
