Fake gas fitter repeatedly put vulnerable customers at risk
A gas fitter who carried out dangerous work in homes in and around Cardiff and falsely claimed to be registered has been given a suspended prison sentence.
Cardiff Crown Court heard that, between September 2016 and March 2018, Jordan Hare carried out gas work at four homes in Cardiff and Crosskeys, though he was not Gas Safe registered. Mr Hare installed gas boilers along with other work at the premises in Cardiff, and modified the gas pipework and installed a gas boiler and gas hob at a property in Crosskeys.
The work he carried out all the properties was sub-standard, variously classified as Immediately Dangerous, At Risk, Not to Current Standards or did not comply with the Building Regulations. The HSE, prosecuting, said the work put occupants and other members of the public in significant danger because of the potential risk of gas escape, fire, and explosion.
Its investigation found that the actions of Mr Hare were fraudulent and deliberate. Trading under various names, he pretended to be Gas Safe registered to convince vulnerable people to engage his services to undertake work that he was not competent to do.
Jordan Louis Hare of Foxberry Close, Pontprennau, Cardiff, pleaded guilty to breaching Regulation 3(1), 3(3) and 3 (7) of the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998, with S22 of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974. He was given a 10-month custodial sentence suspended for 18 months, ordered to carry out 200 hours of unpaid work. He was also ordered to pay costs of £5,000 and £125 compensation.
