An Essex-based gas engineer has been sentenced after putting tenants at risk of carbon monoxide poisoning in Chelmsford.

James Douglas Wilkinson, of Falmouth Road, Chelmsford, Essex, pleaded guilty to breaches of Section 3(2) of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974, and Regulation 3(1) of the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998.

He was sentenced to 120 hours of community service with costs of £2,527 and a victim surcharge of £60.

Chelmsford Magistrates' Court heard how Mr Wilkinson was contracted to work on gas warm air units at five rented homes, including a house in Bouchers Mead, Chelmsford.

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While he was Gas Safe-registered for various types of appliances, an investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) discovered he did not hold the required qualification to undertake the work.

The gas installation at Bouchers Mead was twice left in an immediate dangerous condition, including leaving a gas leak following a repair job.

He also failed to service the warm air unit at the rented homes correctly, leaving the tenants exposed to carbon monoxide. They were only alerted to the danger by the carbon monoxide alarm.

HSE inspector Susan Matthews said: "It is essential for public safety that gas appliances are only maintained by gas engineers who are competent to work on them and registered with Gas Safe Register for that work."

(LM/MH)