A 'reckless' plumber who posed as a Gas Safe registered engineer was given a suspended sentence after his firm fitted a dangerous boiler in what was to be a child's bedroom in a house in Essex.

Lee Lawrence, trading as Amber Plumbing Solutions, was found guilty of three breaches of gas safety regulations and received a twelve-month suspended prison sentence and 180 hours of unpaid community service.

Colchester Magistrates’ Court heard that concerned householders contacted a Gas-Safe registered engineer when the boiler fitted by the firm did not work properly for several weeks, and the engineer condemned the boiler immediately.

A Gas Safety regional investigations officer found seven defects directly attributable to work organised by Lee Lawrence and undertaken by Amber Plumbing Solutions.

Advertising flyers produced by Lee Lawrence for Amber Plumbing Solutions displayed the Gas Safe logo and their website falsely stated that Amber Plumbing Solutions was a Gas Safe registered company.

HSE inspector Edward Crick said: "Mr Lawrence showed a blatant disregard for the safety of his customers. A registered gas engineer had no hesitation in labelling the boiler as an immediate danger to life or property. Installing it in what was to be a children’s bedroom was reckless beyond belief and could have had tragic consequences.”