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An unregistered gas fitter has received a suspended prison sentence after fitting central heating boilers at two houses in Greater Manchester.
Christopher Dignam of Kenyon Lane, Middleton, Manchester, pleaded guilty to two breaches of Regulations 3(3), and for breaching 3(7) and 26(1) of the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998.
He was sentenced to 12 months custody, suspended for two years. In addition, he was ordered to pay £460 and £400 in compensation for the two homeowners, along with £3,000 in costs.
The court heard Mr Dingham, trading at Blue Flame Plumbing and Heating Services, has never been on the Gas Safe Register.
However, advertisements for his business in two local publications showed a Gas Safe Register logo and a registration number which does not belong to Dignam, confirming that he knew he should be registered.
In addition, one of the two boilers he fitted in November and December 2014 was classified to be 'at risk' by a Gas Safe investigator, meaning that faults were present which could constitute a danger to life or property.
HSE inspector Caroline Shorrock said: "Dignam showed a reckless and flagrant disregard for health and safety requirements. He knew he should be registered with Gas Safe and he exposed customers to a risk of serious injury or death."
(LM)
