A Clevedon man has been prosecuted and fined for illegally installing a gas boiler and flue at a property in Bristol.

Jeffrey Maslen, 47, from Clevedon in Somerset, appeared at North Avon Magistrates' Court charged with contravening Regulation 3 (3), 3 (7) and 27 (1) of the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998.

He installed a gas boiler with a totally inadequate flue at the property. The flue in the attic space was later found to have come apart, causing potentially fatal carbon monoxide fumes to leak back into the property.

During the court case, representatives from the Health & Safety Executive (HSE) told magistrates that Maslen was not suitably qualified to undertake the work, which he carried out at the property between 1 and 18 March 2009. He also did not hold the correct competencies to legally carry out the work.

In addition to not being registered with the industry body, he deliberately falsified paperwork to say he was a registered engineer.

Speaking after the hearing, health and safety inspector Caroline Bird said: “Any business or sole trader who carries out any work on gas appliances without being on the Gas Safe Register is breaking the law. It is imperative that those who carry out work on gas fittings are properly registered with Gas Safe, and are competent to carry out the work.

“The consequences of incorrectly fitted gas appliances and inadequate flues can and does lead to loss of life. In this instance Maslen pretended to be registered and aimed to deceive his customer, which highlights the need for householders to ensure they check the engineer’s ID card when they arrive at the door.”

Maslen pleaded guilty to the charges, and was given a 12 month community order requiring 100 hours of community service, an eight week curfew from 8pm to 7.30am, and was ordered to pay full costs of £1,412.50.