TV 'Rogue Trader' in court again for botched gas work

Date:

30 May 2012

Release No:

Y&H/106/12

A convicted plumber who left a series of householders at risk from his illegal gas work was sentenced at Leeds Crown Court today for putting more lives in danger.

Brian Lloyd from Ossett, near Wakefield, was exposed for carrying out illegal gas work by the TV programme 'Rogue Traders' back in 2009.

At the time the 59 year-old self-employed plumber was under investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), who subsequently prosecuted him in February 2010. He was fined and handed a 17-week prison sentence suspended for 12 months.

However, just six months later in August 2010, Mr Lloyd removed an old boiler and gas fire from a house in Towngate, Ossett, and installed a combination boiler. Not only was this an offence under his suspended sentence but it also contravened a Prohibition Notice issued by HSE that prevented him undertaking any gas work until he became a registered Gas Safe engineer.

The Court heard that the offence came to light after the boiler Mr LLoyd installed didn't work. The householder had asked for a Gas Safe certificate and boiler warranty but neither had been provided. After several weeks, the householder contacted the boiler manufacturer and found the appliance had not been registered. They then contacted Gas Safe who arranged for an inspection.

A Gas Safe engineer immediately classified the boiler as 'at risk' and gave the householder a list of faults that needed to be rectified before it was safe to use.

HSE Inspector Andy Denison investigated both Mr Lloyd's previous and current offences. After today's sentencing of Mr Lloyd he said:

"This is one of the worst cases I have come across involving a repeat offender and unsafe gas work.

"His previous conviction for a number of offences and his naming and shaming on a TV programme, have done nothing to deter him from trying to turn a profit at the expense of people's safety.

"I cannot emphasise enough that all gas work should only be carried out by Gas Safe registered engineers, who have the training, qualifications and competence needed. HSE will take robust action against those who flout the regulations and those who are in breach of enforcement notices."

Paul Johnston, chief executive of Gas Safe Register, said:

"Consumers should always check that an engineer is qualified to carry out gas work. Ask to see an up to date ID card and call us to check if you have any doubt. It is also important to check the back of the card to ensure that they are qualified to work on that type of appliance. If you have any doubts about the gas safety of any work you have done then contact Gas Safe Register to request a free inspection."

Brian Lloyd, of Dewsbury Road, Ossett, had pleaded guilty at an earlier hearing before Wakefield Magistrates to two offences against the Gas Safety Regulations and one charge of breaching a Prohibition Notice for his work at the Towngate property. He was given 250 hours community service and ordered to pay £500 toward costs.

Notes to editors

1. The Health and Safety Executive is Britain's national regulator for workplace health and safety. It aims to reduce work-related death, injury and ill health. It does so through research, information and advice; promoting training; new or revised regulations and codes of practice; and working with local authority partners by inspection, investigation and enforcement. www.hse.gov.uk
2. Regulation 3 (3) of the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998 states: "no employer shall allow any of his employees to carry out any work in relation to a gas fitting or service pipework and no self-employed person shall carry out any such work, unless the employer or self-employed person, as the case may be, is a member of a class of persons approved for the time being by the Health and Safety Executive".
3. Regulation 26(5) (a) states: "no person carrying out the installation of a gas appliance shall leave it connected to the gas supply unless - the appliance can be used safely."
4. Section 33(1) (g) of the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 states that 'It is an offence for a person to contravene any requirement or prohibition imposed by an improvement notice or a prohibition notice (including any such notice as modified on appeal)"

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