A landlord has been fined for putting the lives of his tenants and others at risk by illegally fitting a gas boiler.

Richard Elliot, of Pennsylvania Road, Exeter pleaded guilty to two breaches of the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations (1998) when he appeared before Honiton Magistrates' Court.

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) investigation revealed that when Mr Elliot was installing a new boiler at a flat in Old Tiverton Road, Exeter, he failed to safely isolate and cap the live gas pipe, and left the work partially completed.

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The tenant of the flat, a grandmother, was visited by her young grandchildren, aged five and seven, on a daily basis, before concerns about the safety of the new boiler were raised by a visiting officer from Exeter City Council on 29 March this year.

Mr Elliot was fined a total of £4,000 and ordered to pay costs of £1,787, including £15 to the victim compensation fund.

HSE Inspector, Simon Jones, said: "The pipework left in the flat was extremely dangerous and could have led to a major gas explosion if one of the children had simply twisted the valve to let the gas escape.

"Working with gas supplies is a specialised job and must only be carried out by trained engineers who are members of the Gas Safe Register, to minimise any risk of death or serious injury resulting from gas leaks or explosions.

"Members of the public should check that gas fitters are members of the Gas Safe Register before any work is started. Do not be tempted to do the work yourself - you could be putting your life at risk."

(CD/KMcA)