Illegal gas fitter behind bars after flouting Prohibition Notice
An illegal fitter has been jailed for 12 months after he continued to work on gas appliances despite having been prohibited by the HSE from doing so unless he became Gas Safe registered.
Marc Murrie, from Hatfield, Doncaster, had carried out dangerous gas work on several occasions between October 2013 and September 2014 in West Yorkshire, falsely claiming to householders that he was registered. Defects were found, including the use of inappropriate gas fittings and defective flue joints. Mr Murrie was subsequently served with a Prohibition Notice, banning him from carrying out further gas work unless he became registered.
At Sheffield Magistrates Court, the HSE, prosecuting, told the court that Mr Murrie continued to carry out gas work, defying the ban. Between April 2016 and July 2016, he worked at two properties in South Yorkshire. Again, defects were subsequently found after the homeowners complained to Gas Safe Register.
Marc Murrie of Moss Croft Lane, Hatfield, Doncaster, South Yorkshire, pleaded guilty to five breaches of Regulation 3(3) of the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998; three breaches of Regulation 3(7); and one breach each of Regulation 6(3) and Regulation 26(5). He also pleaded guilty to one breach of Section 33(1)(g) of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974.
Mr Murrie was sent to prison for 12 months.
After the hearing, HSE inspector Jane Fox said: “Mr Murrie undertook gas work which he knew he was not registered to do. Some of that work was unsafe and it was fortunate that no one was harmed.”
