A gas fitter from Walsall received a suspended prison sentence after fitting a hob at a house in Tamworth despite not being Gas Safe registered.

Alan Nicholas Price’s work came to the attention of HSE after a registered fitter subsequently carried out repairs on the gas hob.

Mr Price, from Pelsall, was charged with breaching Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations. He failed to appear in court on two separate occasions and was arrested. At Stafford Crown Court, he pleaded guilty and was given a nine-month prison sentence, suspended for two years.

He was also ordered to complete 100 hours of community service and pay £100 towards HSE’s costs.

HSE inspector Wayne Owen said: “When working on gas systems it is vital that the person has sufficient knowledge, training and experience so that they are aware of safe working practices and standards. This is due to the level of risk if gas systems are not worked on and fitted safely. The risk is posed not only to the person carrying out the work but to anyone else who may be in the vicinity of the systems afterwards; in this case the occupants of the house.”

Image courtesy of Shuterstock/Chepko Danil Vitalevich