A Norfolk plumber has appeared in court for illegally carrying out gas work for a landlord in Norwich.

Gary Dunne-Bathurst, 54, from North Elmham, was prosecuted by the Health & Safety Executive (HSE) after he installed a gas boiler without being registered with Gas Safe – a legal requirement for anyone undertaking gas work.

Norwich Magistrates' Court heard that Dunne-Bathurst carried out the work at a property on Dover Street in Norwich in 2011, despite not being a qualified gas engineer.

Dunne-Bathurst was given a 12-month conditional discharge and ordered to pay £100 in costs after pleading guilty to a breach of the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998 on 12 June 2013.

After the hearing, HSE inspector Ivan Brooke said: "Although nobody was injured in this incident, there were potentially grave consequences for the residents.

"The case highlights the fact that unregistered gas work is still quite common, putting people's lives at risk as a result. Homeowners, landlords and tenants should always request ID and check workers are properly accredited."

Russell Kramer, chief executive of Gas Safe, added: "Every Gas Safe registered engineer carries a Gas Safe ID card, which shows who they are and the type of gas appliances they are qualified to work on.

"We always encourage the public to ask for and check the card and, if they have any concerns about the safety of work carried out in their home, to speak to us.

"Every year we investigate thousands of reports of illegal gas work. Call us on 0800 408 5500 or visit our website at www.gassaferegister.co.uk ."