Councillor fined for illegally fitting boiler (From Swindon Advertiser)

Blunsdon Parish Councillor fined for illegally fitting boiler

11:30am Thursday 10th January 2013 in News

A PARISH councillor has appeared in court for carrying out unsafe work on a boiler, leaving a householder at risk.

Michael Compton, a parish councillor in Blunsdon, illegally removed a gas boiler and installed a new one at a property in Exmouth Street between March 19 and April 30 last year.

Mr Compton was not registered with Gas Safe Register and should not have carried out any type of gas work.

In a prosecution by the Health and Safety Executive, Swindon Magistrates’ Court heard that Mr Compton had told the householder that his colleague would sign-off the work and provide a guarantee.

But Mr Compton’s failing came to light when the colleague refused to do so.

HSE also found that Mr Compton had been cautioned before for carrying out illegal gas work and had signed a letter to state he would not carry out such work in future.

Mr Compton, of Widhill Lane, Blunsdon, admitted breaching gas regulations and was fined £5,000 and ordered to pay £1,840 costs.

Speaking after the hearing, HSE Inspector Ian Whittles, said: “Mr Compton’s dangerous boiler work could have meant injury or a fatality.

“He chose to disregard the previous caution, ignored his commitment not to take on further illegal gas work and then expected a colleague to sign-off his shoddy work.

“Anyone working with gas has to be registered as trained and competent to do so and be members of the Gas Safe Register by law.”

Details on gas safety can be found on the HSE website at www.hse.gov.uk/gas.