An Ipswich plumber who put lives at risk by illegally working on gas appliances has been awarded 100 hours of community service.

Andrew Davies, 44, of Tower Mill Road, Ipswich, admitted breaching safety regulations when he appeared at Ipswich Magistrates' Court today.

A joint investigation by environmental health officers from Ipswich Borough Council and Gas Safe found Mr Davies carried out work on gas fittings and appliances at the Kwan Thai restaurant in Saint Nicholas Street, Ipswich in July 2010 without being registered to do so, a legal requirement for carrying out such work. Mr Davies falsely issued the restaurant owners with a safety record bearing an invalid registration number.

-- Advertisement --

The piece of work carried out by Mr Davies at the restaurant was judged by a qualified engineer to be so dangerous it represented "an immediate danger to life or property".

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) served a Prohibition Notice on Mr Davies on 9 March 2011 which stopped him from carrying out any further gas work until such time as he obtained registration from GasSafe.

Mr Davies pleaded guilty to breaching Section 3 (2) of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974 and Regulation 3 (3) of the Gas Safety (Installation & Use) Regulations 1998. Along with 100 hours of community service, he was ordered to pay £3,527.50 costs.

(CD)