A rogue gas fitter has been jailed after carrying out unsafe gas work at a home while suspended from the Gas Safe Register.
Antony Clifton, 52, (pictured, inset) was sentenced to 46 weeks in custody after he carried out the work while falsely claiming to be a member of the Gas Safe Register. He worked at a home in Drayton, Norwich, in January 2022, where there was a gas escape on the inlet to a cooker he had fitted the day before.
An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) found that Clifton had left the cooker leaking gas, and emergency repair work was needed. Clifton had previously been served with a prohibition notice by HSE following unsafe gas work.
Clifton, a director of CS Appliance Repairs Ltd in Wymondham, admitted breaching gas safety regulations and was also ordered to pay £1,000 costs at a hearing at Great Yarmouth Magistrates Court.
HSE inspector Martyn Webb says Clifton knew he wasn’t registered and should not carry out any gas work. “He showed a blatant disregard to this fact and his illegal actions meant the people living in that house could have been killed,” adds Webb.
“Homeowners and tenants should check for Gas Safe registration before allowing work to commence on their appliances and refuse entry to individuals who cannot prove they are registered.
All gas work must be done by a registered Gas Safe engineer to ensure the highest standards are met to prevent injury and loss of life.”
Landlords seeking to check a gas engineers should do so here.
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