Fraudulent trader sentenced to jail with 80 hours of community service and fined over £2,000

A local trader has been sentenced for fitting a gas boiler and falsifying that he was a gas safe engineer.

Nathan Birks of Stoke-on-Trent, was sentenced on Monday 22 April, at North Staffordshire Magistrates after being found guilty of fitting a gas boiler that he was not approved to install. The Trading Standards investigation revealed the trader’s deliberate falsification of paperwork showing he was Gas Safe approved to conduct gas-related work. The boiler was fitted incorrectly and found to be unsafe when it was subsequently inspected by Gas Safe. The consumer had to pay another trader to correctly install the boiler. The verdict underscores the city council’s unwavering commitment to combatting fraudulent activities in the community.

Mr Birks pleaded guilty to three Fraud Act 2006 offences and a Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations 2008 offence. He has been sentenced to eight months custodial sentence, suspended for two years, and ordered to do 10 rehabilitation activities as well as 80 hours community service. In addition, he has been fined a total of £2,218.64 including £850 compensation to be paid back to the consumer.

Councillor Amjid Wazir, cabinet member for city pride, enforcement, and sustainability said: “There are real risks when unqualified and unregistered persons carry out gas work, the cost to consumer can be fatal. Unregistered gas fitters gain an unfair advantage when competing against qualified and registered engineers.

“This is a dishonest practice which can put lives at risk. This case underlines that we take rogue trader offences seriously in Stoke-on-Trent and will prosecute wherever appropriate to protect residents”.

The city council encourages residents to remain vigilant and verify the credentials of tradespeople, double-checking that engineers who are registered on the Gas Safe Register can work on gas systems and appliances. Every gas engineer carries a Gas Safe Register ID card, this has their licence number and what work they can do. Always ask to see a Gas Safe Register ID card. You can also search the Gas Safe Register at www.gassaferegister.co.uk to check is an engineer or company is registered.

If you suspect a gas fitter is illegal you can call gas safe register on 0800 408 5500 and report them or go to www.gassaferegister.co.uk and follow the links to the illegal gas fitter service.

If you need advice or want to report a person stating they are Gas Safe Registered when they are not to Stoke-on-Trent Trading Standards, please contact us via the Citizens Advice consumer helpline on: 0808 223 1133

Anyone who requires advice or wants to report a similar issue to trading standards can call 0808 223 1133 or visit www.stoke.gov.uk