A gas fitter has been fined and is serving a community service order after carrying out illegal gas work in Colchester.

During the second installation, the fire manufacturer asked for Bond's Gas Safe registration details and he provided someone else's ID number.

Bond attempted to argue that he and the other man worked together but when the householder contacted the Gas Safe Register, they confirmed that he was not registered with them and was therefore working illegally.

An investigation by the Health & Safety Executive (HSE) found that Bond had previously been registered to carry out gas work between August 2003 and April 2007, and was therefore well aware of the need to be registered before carrying out any work on gas appliances or pipework.

Bond, trading as Bond Technical Services, of Granary Court, Hythe Quay, was sentenced to six months imprisonment, suspended for 12 months.

He was also ordered to carry out 240 hours of community service, and to pay £1,965.50 in prosecution costs after pleading guilty to two breaches of the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998 and one breach of the Health and Safety at Work Act etc 1974.

HSE inspector Edward Crick said: "Bond had previously held suitable registration and competencies for working safely with gas and was therefore well aware of the need to be registered with the appropriate authorities.