A HEREFORD plumber has been handed a suspended prison sentence after falsely claiming to be Gas Safe registered.

Ashley Aaron Powell, of Thompson Place, carried out out illegal gas work on domestic boilers, gas cookers and gas fires between June 2018 and March 2023.

On one occasion, he installed a new boiler for a woman in the city. However, after Gas Safe condemned the installation, resulting in the victim having to pay for repairs to make it safe. 

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Powell had issued bogus gas safety certificates with his Gas Safe registration and licence number which had expired in March 2018. The 39-year-old - who pleaded guilty to three charges under the Fraud Act - also took deposits for parts and failed to carry out the work.

Powell was handed a four-month prison sentence, suspended for 12 months, and ordered to pay £1,822 in compensation to eight of his customers. He also pleaded to a a further charge of theft, and told to pay the victim £140 in compensation. 

Charles Yarnold, Herefordshire Council’s head of regulatory and technical services said: “Residents are strongly advised to check that any gas engineer they use is actually Gas Safe registered.

"The consequences of using someone who is not legally approved can potentially be fatal. You should also not pay up front for repairs, just pay in full when the repair has been completed satisfactorily.”

Anyone concerned about the activity of a potential rogue trader is urged to contact the Citizens Advice consumer helpline on 0808 2231133.