A rogue gas fitter in Stoke-on-Trent has been sentenced after fitting a boiler when he was not qualified to do so.
Nathan Birks pleaded guilty at North Staffordshire Justice Centre to carrying out gas work illegally and providing false paperwork claiming he was Gas Safe registered.
Stoke-on-Trent City Council brought the case after a householder alerted them that Birks had fitted a new boiler in their home last year, but when a genuine Gas Safe engineer inspected the work, they found multiple safety issues with the installation.The customer had to pay another trader to correctly install the boiler.
Birks received an eight month custodial sentence, suspended for two years, and was ordered to do 10 rehabilitation activities as well as 80 hours community service. In addition, he has been fined a total of £2,218.64 including £850 compensation to be paid back to the consumer.
Councillor Amjid Wazir, cabinet member for city pride, enforcement, and sustainability, says: “There are real risks when unqualified and unregistered persons carry out gas work, the cost to consumer can be fatal. Unregistered gas fitters gain an unfair advantage when competing against qualified and registered engineers.
“This is a dishonest practice which can put lives at risk. This case underlines that we take rogue trader offences seriously in Stoke-on-Trent and will prosecute wherever appropriate to protect residents.”
