A self-employed gas fitter has been jailed after an investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) found he had installed a new boiler without being Gas Safe registered.
At Manchester Magistrates’ Court, Michael Trent Algar pleaded guilty after being employed to install a new boiler in a domestic property.
The court heard that the homeowners had run a bath for their daughter and had smelt gas.
They contacted another gas engineer who carried out repairs and found that the flue had not been replaced and was left with a gap which allowed products of combustion to enter into the property.
The engineer called to inspect the installation work deemed it as immediately dangerous and it was reported to Gas Safe Register.
The court heard that Algar was not Gas Safe registered and had never been registered – he had also received advice from HSE on previous occasions in relation to similar matters.
In court, Michael Trent Algar of Milnrow Road, Shaw, Oldham, pleaded guilty to three offences under the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998 and received a 14-month custodial sentence.
After the hearing, HSE inspector Lisa Bailey said:
“The homeowners were very lucky in this case – had they not acted as quickly as they did, the consequences could have been devastating.
“Michael Algar carried out gas work despite not being competent or Gas Safe registered.
“It is important that homeowners check the Gas Safe registration number of any engineers who attend their property.
“I hope this sentence sends a message to other unregistered gas installers.”
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