A self-employed builder, who illegally installed a wall-mounted gas boiler and associated pipe-work, has been fined for putting the lives of homeowners at risk.

Jason Sapsford was prosecuted after inspections carried out by both British Gas and Gas Safe classified the installation at the home in Clacton-on-Sea as being “at risk”, indicating that the system had the potential to put both life and property at risk.

Colchester Magistrates’ Court heard on 14 November that Mr Sapsford was contracted to remove a gas boiler from the premises and install a wall mounted gas boiler in its place, despite not being Gas Safe Registered.

Following installation, the system repeatedly broke down and the householder was left with holes to an exterior wall, no room-control thermostat and other electrical faults.

Furthermore, a user manual was not supplied and, during the course of the installation, Mr Sapsford stripped the premises of its copper pipe-work, replacing it with plastic piping which was badly fitted, inappropriate for its intended use and which subsequently leaked.

The householder was faced with costs of around £2,500 to replace the pipe-work and install a room thermostat.

Jason Sapsford, trading at the time as New Look Builders, of East Barnet, Herts, was fined a total of £2,000, ordered to pay costs of £2,252 and victim compensation of £2,285 after pleading guilty to two breaches of the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998.

HSE inspector Paul Grover said: “This gas work was carried out by an unregistered and incompetent individual who was prepared to put life and property at risk for the sake of quick profit.

“People can die as a result of carbon monoxide poisoning. Mr Sapsford’s actions were callous and uncaring and he showed little or no concern for the difficulties experienced by the householders, or the danger his handiwork presented to the general public.”

Further information about gas safety can be found online at www.hse.gov.uk/gas.