A builder has been prosecuted after unsafe gas work was carried out at a house in Cardiff.

Brian James, of Llandudno Road, Cardiff pleaded guilty to breaches of Section 3(2) of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974. He was sentenced to 32 weeks in prison, suspended for two years. In addition, he was given 250 hours of community service and fined £636 with over £5,344 in costs.

Cardiff Crown Court heard that Mr James was hired to carry out renovations to a bungalow, specifically to install new plumbing and heating, including a boiler.

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Mr James admitted in court that although he did not carry out the work himself he employed a man he had never met before to deliver the project. He did not check that he was sufficiently competent, qualified, or a Gas Safe registered engineer.

In addition, he took his details from a board at a DIY store and could not provide further details to the Health and Safety Executive, who investigated the incident. The boiler had not been fitted with a thermostat and was not commissioned by a registered engineer.

HSE inspector Simon Breen said: "It is essential for public safety that gas appliances are only fitted competent, qualified and registered engineers. Anyone who is carrying out renovations to properties need to make sure they properly check anyone they bring in to carry out gas work so people's lives are not put at risk."

(LM)