A gas boiler was left in a dangerous state when it was installed by a plumber falsely claiming to be Gas Safe registered.

Ian Gardiner, 46 from Ilton, trading as Ian Gardiner Plumbing & Heating Services, was prosecuted by the Health & Safety Executive (HSE) on 1 July for a series of offences against gas safety regulations.

Mr Gardiner was fined £2,100, ordered to pay £2,000 costs and £125 in compenstation after pleading guilty to five breaches of the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998.

The court heard Mr Gardiner provided a householder in Yeovil with a quote to install a gas-fired central heating system on headed paper with a Gas Safe Register logo. On completion of the work he provided further paperwork with a Gas Safe Register number.

A Regional Investigations Officer employed by Gas Safe later inspected the properly in October 2013 and found nine defects in the way the system had been installed, three of which constituted a danger to life or property.

After the hearing, HSE inspector Mehtaab Hamid said: “Ian Gardiner was Gas Safe registered several years ago, but had failed to renew his qualifications or membership. Standards in gas work do change and it is important for gas engineers to keep up to date. The work he carried out put anyone in this property at potentially serious risk.

“Incorrectly fitted gas appliances can be highly dangerous and can lead to loss of life. Gas Safe Register exists to protect the public from people like Mr Gardiner who are prepared to work illegally, despite not being qualified and competent.”