A SELF-EMPLOYED gas engineer from Bournemouth has been convicted after carrying out illegal gas work and breaching a prohibition notice.

Dean Andrew Coslett, trading as Dorset Boiler Company, undertook gas work at a number of properties in the county between December 2017 and April 2019 while he was not registered with the Gas Safe Register.

Bournemouth Crown Court heard Coslett used false Gas Safe Register registration numbers on paperwork he issued and left gas appliances incorrectly installed.

An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) found that Coslett had not installed a number of gas appliances to the correct safety standards.

On September 12, 2018, HSE served Coslett with a notice prohibiting him from undertaking gas work whilst not registered with the Gas Safe Register. However, he breached this prohibition notice by continuing to undertake unregistered gas work.

Coslett, whose address was given as Sevenoaks Drive, Bournemouth, pleaded guilty to breaching Regulation 3(3) and 3(7) of the Gas Safety (installation and use) Regulations 1998 and Section 33(1)(g) of the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974.

The sentencing judge at Bournemouth Crown Court on June 3 handed the defendant a three-year community supervision order.

This included a requirement to carry out 200 hours of unpaid work and complete up to 30 days of rehabilitation activity work.

He was also ordered to pay £900 compensation to a number of homeowners for the substandard work he undertook at their homes.

HSE inspector Simon Jones said: “Dean Coslett undertook gas work, which he knew he was not registered to do and flagrantly breached an order prohibiting him from undertaking gas work whilst he was not registered.

“All gas work must be done by registered Gas Safe engineers to ensure the highest standards are met to prevent injury and loss of life.”