Illegal gas fitter served eight-month suspended jail sentence

An illegal gas fitter from West Yorkshire has been handed an eight-month suspended jail sentence after conducting work at two addresses in Goole last year without being Gas Safe-registered.

Ryan Thorpe, 24, from Ashdene Grove, Pontefract, was handed the sentence, suspended for two years, and ordered to pay £500 in legal costs after pleading guilty to eight separate breaches of the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations at Pontefract Magistrates Court yesterday.

The court heard that, in July 2009, Mr Thorpe illegally removed and fitted a new boiler at a home in Goole, East Yorkshire.

In August Mr Thorpe then removed and installed another gas appliance at another residence. The Health and Safety Executive said, during this job, he failed to seal the joint on a pipe from the gas meter correctly, causing a leak so serious the gas supply had to be shut off.

“When called back to the address on 2 September 2009, he illegally reinstated the supply,” the HSE said.

Inspector Andrew Denison said Mr Thorpe “blatantly disregarded” the law. He warned anyone carrying out gas work must be appropriately qualified and accredited.