Father and son put pensioner at risk with defective gas work

Trading as Worcester Windows, Doors and Conservatories, Christopher Amphlett, aged 65, and son Mark, 37, knew they had to manage the existing flue of the gas boiler before building a conservatory at the woman’s property in Hillside Close, Ronkswood, but they didn’t.

When they finished the building in Christmas 2011 they illegally inserted a plastic pipe into the original flue and extended it through the conservatory roof of the ground floor maisonette.

Yesterday (Thursday), Worcester Magistrates Court heard the offence only came to light when British Gas visited the property three months later to do their annual check.

They detected a gas leak from the flue in the conservatory and immediately condemned the boiler.

An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) found the two men were aware that the flue they put in was defective but had made no attempt to rectify it.

Neither of the pair were registered engineers with the Gas Safe Register.

Speaking after the hearing, HSE Inspector Wai-Kin Liu said: "Christopher and Mark Amphlett knowingly proceeded with an illegal gas fitting task that left the home owner at considerable risk.

“This case could have been much more serious if the resident had not been due a contracted check by the gas provider.

Mr Liu added: "This case should serve as a lesson to any builder who is tempted to undertake gas work when not qualified and not registered. Householders should be extra vigilant in checking that any gas work is carried out only by registered engineers."

Christopher Amphlett, of Newtown Road, Ronkswood, was ordered to carry out 150 hours of unpaid community work over 12 months and pay £2,400 costs for breaching Regulation 8 (1) of the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998.

Mark Amphlett, of Canterbury Road, Ronkswood , was also sentenced to 150 hours of unpaid community work over 12 months and ordered to pay £2,400 costs for the same offence.