An unregistered gas fitter has been given a suspended prison sentence and ordered to complete 180 hours of community work after carrying out illegal and dangerous work at two homes in Essex. Anthony Hoskins, 49, from Essex, fitted gas boilers at homes in Brentwood and Ingatestone in 2012 and 2013, despite not being a member of the Gas Safe Register, as UK law requires.

Anthony Hoskins, 49, from Essex, fitted gas boilers at homes in Brentwood and Ingatestone in 2012 and 2013, despite not being a member of the Gas Safe Register, as UK law requires.


His failings came to light after the Ingatestone householder complained to Gas Safe Register because Mr Hoskins had left the job unfinished. When Gas Safe Register investigated, they met the Brentwood householder who had also hired Mr Hoskins to install his boiler.


On 5 June, 2014 Colchester Magistrates’ Court heard that one of the two boilers Mr Hoskins had installed was deemed to be “at risk” because the flue had not been correctly sealed.


An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) revealed that even a small movement of the flue could have resulted in combustion products leaking from the boiler flue, potentially exposing occupants of the home to carbon monoxide.


The other boiler had not been installed to current standards.


Mr Hoskins, was given a six month prison sentence, suspended for 12 months, and ordered to carry out 180 hours of community work. He was also ordered to pay costs of £1,600 after pleading guilty to single breaches of the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998 and the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974.


After the hearing, HSE inspector Vicky Fletcher, said: “Mr Hoskins has shown a clear disregard for the law and put his customers’ lives at risk.


“Working with gas appliances is difficult, specialised and potentially very dangerous. It is therefore vital that only registered gas engineers, who are trained and competent, work on gas appliances and fittings.


“HSE will not hesitate to prosecute those who break the law in this way.”


Russell Kramer Chief Executive of Gas Safe Register, 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


For moreinformation about gas safety visit http://www.hse.gov.uk/gas/index.htm