Unregistered gas fitter prosecuted for gas safety offences
A Lancashire plumber has been fined £750 after forging gas certificates and deceiving homeowners.
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has fined him for a variety of gas safety offences.
The man, aged 39, of Gordon Street, Bacup, pleaded guilty to three public liability health and safety offences, after he illegally carried out work at homes in Wren Street, Lyndhurst Road and Saxon Street in Burnley, between March and May 2007.
A warrant was issued for his arrest after he failed to attend two previous hearings.
Dorothy Shaw, HSE Principal Inspector, said he: "Put lives in danger by issuing fake Landlords’ Gas Safety Certificates, despite not being qualified to know whether the gas fittings in the houses he visited were dangerous or not.
"He worked in people's homes over several months. By producing the fake certificates, he was able to gain money from unsuspecting landlords and potentially risking poisoning homeowners with carbon monoxide.
“People should always make sure that gas fitters are registered by checking ID before allowing people to carry out work," advised Ms Shaw.
He added: “HSE will continue to prosecute anyone who carries out work without adequate training, or who falsely claims to be a registered gas engineer,’ she added.
It is unknown if the customers will file any compensation claims.Updated on 28/04/2010