A builder has been sentenced to 250 hours of community service for putting a homeowner at risk following renovations to their house in Cardiff.

Brian James was hired to carry out renovations to a bungalow in Cardiff, specifically to install new plumbing and heating, including a boiler, heard Cardiff Crown Court.

Mr James admitted that although he did not carry out the work himself he employed a man he had never met before to carry out the work. He did not check that the man was sufficiently competent, qualified or a Gas Safe registered engineer.

Mr James took his details from a board at a DIY store and could not provide further details to the Health & Safety Executive, who investigated the incident.

Brian James, of Llandudno Road, Rumney, Cardiff, pleaded guilty to breaches of Section 3(2) of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974, He was given a 32 week prison sentence, suspended for two years, 250 hours community service, was fined £636 and ordered to pay costs of £5,344.29.

HSE inspector Simon Breen said: “It is essential for public safety that gas appliances are only fitted competent, qualified and registered engineers. Anyone who is carrying out renovations to properties need to make sure they properly check anyone they bring in to carry out gas work so people’s lives are not put at risk.”

Image courtesy of Shutterstock/Sebastian Duda