A PLUMBER has appeared in court after claiming to be a member of a national gas safety watchdog.

Teesside magistrates were told David Lee had used the logo of the Council for Registered Gas Installers (Corgi) in business, when he was not a member.

Middlesbrough Council solicitor Angela Gray said a customer, who was unhappy with the installation of a kitchen, rang Corgi to complain about North-East Kitchens, of which Lee was a director.

But the customer was told the firm was not registered with them.

Mrs Gray said Mr Lee had acted with "complete disregard'' to the Corgi register, by continuing to display the logo which she said "is a sign of safety, quality and competence".

Magistrates adjourned the case against Lee, of Nevern Crescent, Ingleby Barwick, near Stockton, and the company, which operated from the Southlands Centre, Ormesby Road, Middlesbrough.

The court has asked to see the firm's books before deciding on sentence.

North-East Kitchens and Lee, both pleaded guilty to four offences under the Trades Descriptions Act.

Martin Kerr, in mitigation, said Lee was removed from the Corgi register after failing - because of the length of a waiting list - to get on a refresher course.

He said: "At no time did he intend to defraud anyone whatsoever over the Corgi logo.''

The case was adjourned for four weeks, until August 26, for the production of the company accounts.