Rogue gas fitter jailed after leaving gas escape

An illegal gas fitter from Norfolk has been jailed after carrying out unsafe gas work at a residential property.

Great Yarmouth Magistrates’ Court heard that Antony Clifton, from Wymondham, had been suspended from the Register but carried out unsafe gas work while falsely claiming to be Gas Safe registered. At the property in Drayton, Norwich, there was a gas escape on the inlet to a cooker that he had fitted the day before.

The HSE investigation found that Mr Clifton, 52, had left the appliance leaking gas and emergency repair work was required. Clifton had previously been served with a Prohibition Notice by HSE following unsafe gas work.

Antony Clifton, a director of CS Appliance Repairs Limited, pleaded guilty to breaching Regulations 3(7) and 5(3) of the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998. He was sentenced to 46 weeks in prison and ordered to pay £1,000 in costs.

After the hearing, HSE inspector Martyn Webb said: “Antony Clifton knew that he was not registered and should not carry out any gas work. However, he showed a blatant disregard to this fact and his illegal actions meant the people living in that house could have been killed.”