The fitter pleaded guilty to two breaches of Regulation 3(3) of the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998 at Grimsby Magistrates Court.

Magistrates heard he illegally fitted a gas central heating boiler in a home between 22 January and 29 February 2008 when not Gas Safe registered (formerly CORGI). When the work was checked for safety by the gas registration body, numerous defects were found.

The fitter was fined £2,000 and ordered to pay £1,000 costs following the prosecution by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE).

After the case HSE again urged homeowners to be vigilant when having gas work carried out on their properties.

A HSE inspector warned:

"We urge homeowners to be on their guard when having gas work carried out at their properties and to always check the fitter is on the Gas Safe Register. In this instance the fitter installed a gas central heating boiler at the property when he was not gas safe registered.

The HSE will not hesitate in prosecuting individuals who carry out gas work without proper accreditation, break the law and endanger lives in this way."

Gas engineers undertaking gas work must be registered with a body approved by HSE. The body currently approved is Gas Safe Register as of 1st April 2009. For more information or to check registered gas engineers in your area visit the Gas Safe Register's website.