A gas fitter from Walsall has been handed a suspended prison sentence after he fitted a hob at a house in Tamworth when not on the Gas Safe Register.

Alan Nicholas Price’s work came to the attention of the Health & Safety Executive (HSE) after a registered fitter subsequently carried out repairs on the gas hob.

Price, 57, from Pelsall, was charged with breaching the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations. He failed to appear in court on two separate occasions and was arrested.

At Stafford Crown Court, he pleaded guilty and was sentence to nine months in prison, suspended for two years.

He was also ordered to complete 100 hours of community service and pay £100 towards the HSE’s costs.

HSE inspector Wayne Owen said after the hearing: “When working on gas systems it is vital that the person has sufficient knowledge, training and experience so that they are aware of safe working practices and standards. This is due to the level of risk if gas systems are not worked on and fitted safely. The risk is posed not only to the person carrying out the work but to anyone else who may be in the vicinity of the systems afterwards; in this case the occupants of the house.”