Clive Farrant, 57, from Chelmsford, used a false CORGI registration number in adverts and paperwork when trading as Essex Plumbing Connection. He also committed offences as a director of Secret Heat Ltd. Both companies were registered to his home address.
Mr Farrant of Hawthorne Walk, South Woodham Ferrers, admitted 10 out of 11 charges relating to the hHealth and Safety at Work etc Act 1974 and Gas Safety Regulations 1998 when he appeared at Chelmsford Crown Court yesterday. He was fined £23,000 with £5,000 costs.
The CORGI gas registration scheme was replaced by Gas Safe Register in Great Britain in 2009. The register aims to protect 21 million gas consumers from dangerous gas work.
Investigations by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) found that Mr Farrant had carried out gas work at several properties and left them all in a dangerous condition. He worked at a number of homes in and around Chelmsford between July 2006 and June 2009. During the same period, he also instructed another unregistered engineer to carry out work at properties in Tadley, Hampshire and in and around Chelmsford.
It is a legal requirement for any gas engineering business or self-employed gas engineer carrying out domestic or commercial gas work to be registered under the Gas Safety (Installation & Use) Regulations 1998.
Gas Safe Register chief executive Paul Johnston urged householders to check the credentials of gas fitters on arrival. "People shouldn't take any risks. Badly fitted and poorly serviced gas appliances can cause fires, explosions, gas leaks and carbon monoxide poisoning," he said.
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