A man who falsely claimed to be a qualified gas engineer has been given a suspended prison sentence after carrying out unsafe boiler installations for customers in Berkshire.
Christian Godwin, 29, of Newport Close in Newbury, admitted offences linked to pretending to be registered with the Gas Safe scheme, despite never having held registration.
At Reading Crown Court, he was sentenced to 10 months in prison, suspended for 18 months. He was also ordered to pay £20,244 in compensation, complete 200 hours of unpaid work and undertake 20 rehabilitation activity days. The court also disqualified him from acting as a company director for three years.
The prosecution followed an investigation by trading standards officers from West Berkshire Council and Bracknell Forest Council.
The court heard that Godwin carried out gas and plumbing work for five victims through businesses including Premier Mechanical Solutions and Premier Heat and Cool Limited.
Customers paid between about £2,000 and £4,000 for work including boiler installations. One customer was left without heating over Christmas after another engineer judged a newly installed boiler to be dangerous and unusable.
A second customer said he and his wife experienced nausea, dizziness and headaches after a boiler was fitted. A qualified engineer later disconnected the gas supply and advised that the appliance should not be used.
Another victim received an electric shock linked to a leaking hot water tank. Water damage also caused a hole in a living room ceiling and damage to walls.
Godwin pleaded guilty earlier this year to offences under the Unfair Trading Regulations 2008, including engaging in unfair commercial practices.
Tom McCann, chairman of the Joint Public Protection Committee, said:
“This was a serious and calculated course of deception, and the consequences for residents could have been catastrophic. Misrepresenting Gas Safe registration is not a minor matter. It is a deliberate act that puts lives at risk.”
