A SAFETY expert warned of the dangers of employing unregistered gas fitters after a plumber was fined for installing a central heating system.
William Wood, 51, of Pine Ridge Avenue, Sedgefield, County Durham, carried out a contract in a house in Station Road three years after his registration with Corgi, the Council for Registered Gas Fitters, expired, Bishop Auckland magistrates were told.
He was fined £300 and ordered to pay £364 costs after admitting the offence brought by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) under gas safety regulations.
HSE inspector Gerry Rutter said Mr Wood had carried on with his business even though his registration ran out in 1998. He had not been incompetent when he fitted the heating.
He had been prosecuted by Durham trading standards officers last year for using the Corgi logo on business stationery.
Mr Rutter said after the case: "It is vital that gas installers should be two things - competent and Corgi registered. Both of these are legal requirements."
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