A gas fitter has been given a suspended prison sentence for carrying out repeated illegal and dangerous gas work at homes and businesses in Norfolk.

Terry Arnold, 49, from Thetford, continued to work on gas appliances despite being suspended from the Gas Safe Register.

His failings came to light after investigators found gas appliances he had worked on at a Chinese take-away in April 2012 were 'immediately dangerous' .

Mr Arnold was then given a Prohibition Notice from the Health & Safety Executive (HSE), preventing him from further gas work while HSE investigated his activities. However, he continued to carry out illegal gas work during 2012 and 2013. 

Mr Arnold was sentenced to eight months imprisonment, suspended for one year, after pleading guilty to seven breaches of the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998 and one breach of the Health & Safety at Work etc Act 1974. 

Commenting on the case, HSE inspector Anthony Brookes said: “Terry Arnold is a prolific offender who has continued to carry out gas work without being registered over a number of years. He was well aware of the registration requirements; and by continuing to carry out gas work and providing Gas Safety certificates pretending to be registered over this time; had deliberately chosen to continue working in flagrant disregard for the law.

“He has compounded this offending and displayed utter contempt by continuing his illegal activities despite the service of Prohibition Notices on him by HSE and acted contrary to a written undertaken he had given not to carry out further gas work.

“People can die as a result of gas leaks. It is vital that only registered gas engineers, who are trained and competent, work on gas appliances and fittings. Registered engineers are on the Gas Safe Register.”