Fake Gas Safe engineer sentenced over boiler fit

Nathan Birks had false paperwork claiming he was registered to carry out gas-related work

A man who falsely claimed to be legally qualified to fit a gas boiler has been given a suspended prison sentence and must pay a customer compensation.

Nathan Birks of Stoke-on-Trent claimed he was Gas Safe registered, and installed a boiler that was found to be unsafe.

The 22-year-old of Meir Heath was given an eight month prison sentence suspended for two years, and fined a total of more than £2,200.

He admitted three counts of fraud and an offence under consumer protection regulations, said Stoke-on-Trent City Council which brought the case.

Birks was sentenced at North Staffordshire Justice Centre on 22 April, where he was also ordered to carry out 80 hours' community service and ten rehabilitation activities.

He had used fake paperwork to carry out the illegal installation work, and the customer had to pay another trader to have the boiler fitted correctly.

"Unregistered gas fitters gain an unfair advantage when competing against qualified and registered engineers," said city councillor Amjid Wazir.

“This is a dishonest practice which can put lives at risk," he stressed.

The city council advised consumers to check a Gas Safe engineer's identification card, and check their details on the register.