Self-employed Peter Sykes, 68, from Hadleigh appeared in Norwich Crown Court yesterday (17 June) charged with manslaughter and accused of causing the death of Annette Coe when he failed to properly service her boiler.

Mrs Coe was found collapsed in her home in Ipswich in December 2012, she later died in hospital.

The court heard that Mr Sykes' failure to clean the flue of Mrs Coe's oil-fired heater caused a blockage resulting in fatal exposure to poisonous gas.

He carried out the last service at her home just 47 days before she was found collapsed and unconscious by her son.

Prosecutor William Carter, said: “The defendant’s failure was grossly negligent to the extent, the crown alleges, that his actions amount to the criminal offence of manslaughter."

Mr Sykes is not on the Gas Safe register and faces three counts of health and safety failings involving Mrs Coe’s boiler and those of customers in Raydon and Woodbridge.