A rogue gas fitter who falsely claimed to be Gas Safe-registered before carrying out unsafe work has received a suspended prison sentence.

Sam Buggins, 33, of Letchworth Garden City, trading as Infinity Heating and Plumbing, first came to the attention of Central Bedfordshire Council's trading standards team in 2018 following several complaints by residents.

Its investigation found that Buggins falsely claimed to a number of residents in Stotfold to be a member of the Gas Safe Register, despite it being a legal requirement to work on gas appliances. He installed a gas fire in Dunstable in an unsafe manner, with the standard of workmanship falling below fair and reasonable expectations. He also took money to install a high-spec boiler, but instead fitted a cheaper one of a lower standard.

As the investigation progressed, the trading standards team were also contacted by Hertfordshire County Council and asked to investigate consumer complaints from residents located in Hertfordshire.

After further investigation it was established that Buggins had undertaken aggressive commercial practices and had pressured a disabled vulnerable resident into making additional payments beyond what had been agreed, and then failed to do any of the work. This meant that the resident had to find an additional £1,200 from disability benefits to pay another trader to complete the work.

During the course of the investigation, the Central Bedfordshire Council team worked with a number of other organisations including the Health and Safety Executive and Gas Safe Register inspectors to ensure that he had his day in Court.

Buggins was convicted and sentenced to a 12-month prison sentence, suspended for two years, 20 days rehabilitation activity requirement and a three-month curfew between the hours of 5am and 8pm. He was also ordered to pay £1,200 compensation to his victims.

Central Bedfordshire Council Executive Member for Community Services, Councillor Ian Dalgarno, said: "We are committed to disrupting rogue trader activity and protecting our communities. Our officers will conduct robust investigations, where there is evidence of wrongdoing.

"Carrying out gas safety work when you are not registered as competent to do so is extremely serious and this could have endangered lives. Luckily in this instance no one was hurt, and we were pleased to be able to obtain justice for all of his victims, both in Central Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire, whose evidence strengthened our case against him.

"This successful result will send out a strong message to any dishonest trader, who may be contemplating similar crimes, to think twice, or they may also find themselves in court."